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RM1 Project 2 - tAN fMRI

Medical University of South Carolina · NCT05487664

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Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–65 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
96
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
March 17, 2023
Record last updated
December 18, 2025

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

In this one-visit, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, we plan to use a novel concurrent transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) paradigm during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm in 96 individuals to determine whether tAN administered to two cranial nerves simultaneously produces greater neurophysiologic effects than stimulating solely to the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (ABVN) or the auriculotemporal nerve (ATN; branch of trigeminal nerve) alone. Within the MRI scanner, each participant will be connected to a series of electrodes that stimulate 4 targets (ABVN only, ATN only, ABVN plus ATN, and Sham).

Being studied: Transcutaneous Auricular Neruostimulation (tAN)

Conditions: Auricular Stimulation

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age 18-65
  • Have the capacity and ability to provide one's own consent and sign the informed consent document

Exclusion Criteria

  • Contraindicated for MRI.
  • Any current or recent untreated medical, neurological, or psychiatric conditions
  • Metal implant devices in the head, heart or neck.
  • History of brain surgery.
  • History of myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, bradycardia.
  • Personal or family history of seizure or epilepsy or personal use of medications that substantially reduce seizure threshold (e.g., olanzapine, chlorpromazine, lithium).
  • Personal history of head injury, concussion, or self-report of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
  • Individuals suffering from frequent/severe headaches.
  • Individuals with a reported history of psychosis or mania, or individuals who are actively manic or psychotic.
  • Moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder.
  • Pregnancy

Recruiting US locations

  • Medical University of South Carolina Institute of Psychiatry

    Charleston, SC 29425

    Site contact: Bashar W Badran, PhD · 843-792-6076 · badran@musc.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Bashar Badran, PhD · 843-792-6076 · badran@musc.edu
All healthy volunteers studies in South Carolina →