Clinical Research Directory
Browse clinical research sites, groups, and studies.
Mapsd Dual-target cTBS (Auditory Cortex and M1) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Sponsor: Anhui Medical University
Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a dual-target non-invasive brain stimulation technique called continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (cTBS) for treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The researchers will use a neuronavigation system, which acts like a GPS for the brain, to guide the stimulation to two specific targets: the left auditory association cortex and the primary motor cortex (M1). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive active dual-target cTBS treatment, while the other will receive a sham (placebo) stimulation that feels similar but has no therapeutic effect. The treatment will be given three times a day for seven consecutive days. Before and after the treatment period, all participants will complete clinical questionnaires to measure their anxiety and undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans to help researchers understand how cTBS affects brain activity.
Official title: Efficacy and Neural Mechanisms of Neuroimage-guided Dual-target Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (Auditory Cortex and M1) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 60 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2026-03-01
Completion Date
2027-04-01
Last Updated
2026-02-11
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Active Dual-target cTBS
A non-invasive brain stimulation technique using a MagStim Rapid2 stimulator with a 70mm air-cooled figure-of-eight coil. Targets: 1. Left auditory association cortex (MNI: -62, -40, 10), located using Brainsight neuronavigation. 2. Primary Motor Cortex (M1), determined by the resting motor threshold (RMT) hotspot. Protocol: Stimulation of the auditory cortex is immediately followed by M1 stimulation. Each target receives a standard cTBS protocol (3-pulse 50 Hz bursts repeated at 5 Hz, total 600 pulses, 40s duration). Dosing: Delivered at 100% RMT. Sessions are repeated 3 times/day with 15-min intervals for 7 days.
Sham Dual-target cTBS
A placebo procedure using an inert sham coil that is identical in appearance and sound to the active coil but does not deliver a significant magnetic field to the cortex. Blinding: The procedure includes identical neuronavigation setup, dual-target coil positioning (Auditory Cortex then M1), duration, and treatment schedule (3 times/day for 7 days) to maintain the blind.
Locations (1)
Anhui Medical University
Hefei, Anhui, China