🏛️ Verified NIH Record • Updated 2026-08-07

Effect of cTBS on Startle and TMS-evoked BOLD (NCT07415772)

The Effect of Right dlPFC cTBS on Acute Measures of Anxiety, Functional Connectivity, and TMS-evoked BOLD Responses.

🟡 Not Yet Recruiting Observational / Diagnostic ⚙️ Medical Device Protocol Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)

The right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is increasingly being targeted with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to reduce anxiety expression; however, there is little mechanistic evidence supporting an optimized treatment protocol. Thus, the objective of the current project is to develop an interleaved TMS/fMRI that can assess the effect of neuromodulatory (potentially therapeutic) TMS protocols on neural and behavioral measures related to anxiety expression. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: These results will yield direct evidence that 1 Hz and cTBS modulate brain activity associated with anxiety expression and regulation, thus informing novel TMS based anxiety treatments.

Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (16 items).

Location: University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Age range: 18 Years to 50 Years

🧪 Interventions in This Study

📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener

Instant Checklist

Check every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).

Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:

  • Exclusion Criteria:
  • Non-english speaking
  • Any significant medical or neurological problems
  • Current or past non-anxiety-related psychiatric comorbidity, active or history of active suicidal ideation
  • Alcohol/drug problems in the past year or lifetime alcohol or drug dependence
  • Medications that act on the central nervous system
  • History of seizure
  • History of epilepsy
  • Increased risk of seizure for any reason
  • Pregnancy, or positive pregnancy test
  • Any medical condition that increases risk for fMRI or TMS
  • Any metal in their body which would make having an MRI scan unsafe

🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.

📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)

  • University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

📞 Contact the Study Coordinator

Phone: (215) 746-3058

Email: nicholas.balderston@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.

💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights

  • 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
  • Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
  • Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.

Explore by condition: All Anxiety clinical trials

💡 How to Participate

  1. Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
  2. Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
  3. Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
  4. Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.
🏛️ View Official NIH Record ↗