Studying Brain Activity and Satiety with rTMS

This study is exploring how a part of the brain called the cerebellum affects feelings of fullness (satiety) in healthy individuals. Researchers are using a non-invasive technique called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). This involves placing a coil on the scalp to create a magnetic field that can change brain activity. You might receive either active rTMS or a sham (inactive) rTMS. The study aims to see how rTMS changes brain activity in the cerebellum and another area called the ventral striatum, and how it affects your desire for food. To join, you should be a healthy individual between 18 and 65 years old with a BMI between 20-35.0 kg/m2. The study plans to enroll 150 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 150 healthy participants. It compares active repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) with sham rTMS.
What's involved
You will have an initial screening, an MRI scan, and then two separate testing sessions. Each testing session involves MRI imaging and food intake assessments before and after rTMS.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Brain activity and food reward are measured up to 60 minutes after rTMS at each of the two main study visits.

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NCT06105164

Validation of a Novel Cerebellar-striatal Satiety Circuit in Humans

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65Interventional
Brigham and Women's Hospital
~150 participants
Updated 2025-12-05 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)Sham repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in BOLD response in the cerebellum
Measured over 30 minutes pre-TMS and 30 minutes post-TMS, at each of two main study visits (fed, fasted)
+3 more outcomes measured
Appetitive Behavior
Obesity
2 sites across 1 states
Massachusetts2
  • Laura Holsen, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Brigham and Women's Hospital

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Healthy individuals aged 18 to 65
BMI of 20-35.0 kg/m2
Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Good general health
Ability to understand and willingness to sign written informed consent document

Exclusion

Current and/or past medical conditions
Current and/or past eating disorder
On a restricted diet and/or taking weight loss medication(s)
History of bariatric surgery
Weight fluctuation \>3% in past 3 months
Recent history of illicit recreational drug abuse
Current nicotine use
Intellectual disability
Conditions that might result in increased risks of side effects or complications from TMS or MRI
  • Change in BOLD response in the cerebellum30 minutes pre-TMS and 30 minutes post-TMS, at each of two main study visits (fed, fasted)

    Change in functional activation of the cerebellum will be assessed before (pre-TMS) and after (post-rTMS) rTMS stimulation, measured separately at the fed visit and at the fasted visit.

  • Change in BOLD response in the ventral striatum30 minutes pre-TMS and 30 minutes post-TMS, at each of two main study visits (fed, fasted)

    Change in functional activation of the ventral striatum will be assessed before (pre-TMS) and after (post-rTMS) rTMS stimulation, measured separately at the fed visit and at the fasted visit.

  • Change in food reward valuationup to 60 minutes pre-TMS and up to 60 minutes post-TMS, at each of two main study visits (fed, fasted)

    Change in food reward valuation of high-calorie foods will be assessed using the Willingness to Pay task, measured before (pre-TMS) and after (post-rTMS) rTMS stimulation, measured separately at the fed visit and at the fasted visit.

  • Ad libitum snack food intakebaseline, up to 60 minutes post-TMS at each of two main study visits (fed, fasted)

    Change in total caloric intake during the ad libitum snack food session will be assessed at the baseline visit and after (post-rTMS) rTMS stimulation, the latter measured separately at the fed visit and at the fasted visit.