Comparison of Measures of Plasticity
Recruitment status was Recruiting
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Purpose
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the nerve cells to modify their structure or function in response to injury or insult, or other environmental stimuli, with these changes outlasting the period of exposure. Plasticity may be observed as short term or long term changes. In humans, neuroplasticity can be readily assessed in the motor cortex, as excitability changes are demonstrated in the degree to which peripheral muscles are activated, seen through changes in motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). In this study, a number of approaches to assessing neuroplasticity will be evaluated: Paired-associative stimulation (PAS), Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS), which is a form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and protocols that combine these two. In addition, participants will complete a computerised 'rotor pursuit task' designed to provide a measure of motor learning.
The investigators aim to find the most efficacious (defined by greatest number of responders and effect size as seen in an increase in MEP amplitude) brain stimulation protocol. The investigators will expose the same participants to four excitatory conditioning stimulation paradigms, with each session separated by at least a week.
Our hypotheses include:
The four conditioning stimulation protocols should increase motor cortical excitability, the investigators therefore expect there to be a significant increase in participant MEPs, with a positive correlation in the increase ofMEP amplitude of the protocols. The investigators do however expect that due to the principles of homeostatic metaplasticity, that the protocols preceded by cTBS will show greater MEP change, due to the lowering of the threshold for LTP plasticity induction. In addition, the investigators expect that an increase in the motor learning manifest by the rotor pursuit task and for there to be a correlation in participants between the increase in MEP amplitude and the improvement in time on target (TOT) shown in the motor learning task (MLT).
| Condition | Intervention |
|---|---|
|
Depression Healthy |
Procedure: cTBS-PAS25 Procedure: cTBS-iTBS Procedure: PAS25 Procedure: iTBS |
| Study Type: | Interventional |
| Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Diagnostic |
| Official Title: | Comparison of Measures of Plasticity |
- amplitude of motor evoked potentials [ Time Frame: 60 minutes post brain stimulation protocol intervention ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- motor learning through performance on a 'rotor pursuit task' [ Time Frame: time frame relates to 5 blocks of 5 trials for each participant ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
| Estimated Enrollment: | 60 |
| Study Start Date: | March 2011 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | March 2013 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: | March 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
| Arms | Assigned Interventions |
|---|---|
|
Experimental: PAS25
PAS25 refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.
|
Procedure: PAS25
PAS25 refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.
Other Names:
|
|
Experimental: cTBS-PAS
40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by PAS25 which refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after.
|
Procedure: cTBS-PAS25
40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by PAS25 which refers to the intervention 'paired-associative stimulation' with peripheral ulnar nerve stimulation followed by TMS to the motor cortex 25 ms after
Other Names:
|
|
Experimental: iTBS
190 seconds of intermittent theta-burst stimulation
|
Procedure: iTBS
190 seconds of intermittent theta-burst stimulation
Other Name: Magstim
|
|
Experimental: cTBS-iTBS
40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by 190 seconds of intermittent Theta-burst stimulation
|
Procedure: cTBS-iTBS
40 seconds of continuous Theta-burst stimulation, followed by 190 seconds of intermittent Theta-burst stimulation
|
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- healthy controls
- those suffering depression
- aged
Exclusion Criteria:
- Significant Neurological illness, including epilepsy
- Alcohol use above NHRMC guidelines
- Illicit drug use
- Electronic implant; such as cochlear implant or pacemaker
- Musculoskeletal disorder
Contacts and Locations| Contact: Michael J Player, BPsych | + 61 2 9382 8319 | m.player@unsw.edu.au |
| Contact: Colleen Loo, Assoc Professor | + 61 2 9382 3721 | colleen.loo@unsw.edu.au |
| Australia, New South Wales | |
| Black Dog Institute, University of New South Wales | Recruiting |
| Sydney,, New South Wales, Australia, 2031 | |
| Contact: Angelo Alonzo, PhD + 61 2 9382 3720 m.player@unsw.edu.au | |
More Information
Additional Information:
No publications provided
| Responsible Party: | Associate Professor Colleen Loo, The University of New South Wales |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01317303 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | UNSW10106 |
| Study First Received: | March 16, 2011 |
| Last Updated: | April 5, 2011 |
| Health Authority: | Australia: Human Research Ethics Committee |
Keywords provided by The University of New South Wales:
|
paired associative stimulation theta burst stimulation transcranial magnetic stimulation neuroplasticity healthy controls |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Depression Depressive Disorder Behavioral Symptoms Mood Disorders Mental Disorders |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on May 22, 2013