NCT07593859 Overcoming the Barriers to Effective Transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation in Humans
| NCT ID | NCT07593859 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Northeastern University |
| Condition | Healthy Adult Participants |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 30 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-02-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2029-10-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 30 participants in total. It began in 2026-02-01 with a primary completion date of 2029-10-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TIS) is an emerging novel tool for non-invasive transcranial brain stimulation that holds the potential for focal and steerable neuromodulation, and the possibility to stimulate focally at depth. TIS involves combining two high frequency waveforms to create a waveform with a "beat" frequency that is physiological relevant for neuromodulation. Successful applications to deep brain targets as well as steerability of the stimulation focus have been demonstrated in mice. Numerous recent investigations in humans have shown great clinical potential for this technology, however several questions about the basic mechanism of TIS action remain. The investigators will apply TIS to the motor cortex of humans and use established transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques to assess cortical excitability in relation to the phase of the TIS waveform. Using TMS, the investigators will i) validate that effects of TIS are due to the "beat" frequency and not the high frequency carrier signal, ii) evaluate the effect of the TIS carrier frequency, and iii) evaluate that whether changes in corticospinal excitability outlast the period of stimulation. Knowledge gained from this experiment will provide a basis for the future use of TIS for clinical applications, including informing parameter optimization.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Free of neurological or orthopedic conditions that may impact the ability to participate. * Right-hand dominant (self-reported) * Aged 18-65 years Exclusion Criteria: * Ferromagnetic metal implants in the brain/skull or elsewhere (dental implants excluded). * Any implanted electronic device (e.g. cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump; vagal nerve stimulator) * Diseased or damaged skin on face or scalp * History of migraines, fainting, seizures/epilepsy, or psychiatric illness * Neurological disorder or intracranial lesion * Frequent or severe headaches * Prior adverse reaction to transcranial magnetic stimulation * Currently pregnant * Suspected or diagnosed heart problems (e.g. arrhythmia, cardiac disturbances). * Insulin-dependent diabetes * Suspected or diagnosed epilepsy or a familial history of epilepsy * Use of alcohol or recreational drugs in the prior 12 hours * Use of prescription and over the counter medications will be grounds for exclusion except for: contraceptive (birth control) drugs (e.g. those containing ethinyl estradiol and/or norethindrone), and seasonal allergy medications (e.g. cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin)).
Contact & Investigator
Mathew Yarossi, PhD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Northeastern University
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07593859 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 65 Years, studying Healthy Adult Participants. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07593859 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07593859 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at hall.joa@northeastern.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07593859 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Boston, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07593859 clinical trial?
NCT07593859 is sponsored by Northeastern University. The principal investigator is Mathew Yarossi, PhD at Northeastern University. The trial plans to enroll 30 participants.