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NCT Number: NCT05946616

Spectral Characteristics of Memory Transformation

Sometimes, it is necessary to re-learn a previously learned movement behavior, for example, a bad posture during the golf drive or while playing the piano. Unlearning or relearning an intensively trained behavior is particularly important if the behavior is hampering recovery, for example, in chronic pain or after a stroke. With this pilot study, the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill will be tested with electroencephalography (EEG). Non-invasive brain stimulation will be used to modulate these brain mechanisms and test if it is possible to change the pre-existing motor memory and the learning of a new motor skill.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 years or older (2/3 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age)
  • No previous stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease, or trauma to the head
  • Ability to give consent for study participation
  • who have access to a personal computer with internet

Exclusion criteria

  • • Pregnancy
  • Inability to use all ten fingers to type on a standard computer keyboard
  • Uncorrected vision, hindering perception of visual cues presented on a standard computer screen
  • Medication use at the time of study that may interfere with learning or the effect of tACS, including but not limited to carbamazepine, flunarizine, sulpiride, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan;
  • Neuromuscular disorders affecting hand and finger movements necessary for 10-finger keyboard typing
  • Presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • Presence of scalp injury or disease
  • Prior history of seizures
  • Prior intracranial surgery
  • Prior brain radiotherapy
  • Prior history of intracranial tumor, intracranial infection, or cerebrovascular malformation
  • Metal in head or neck
  • Contraindications to MRI (such as severe claustrophobia, implanted medical devices)

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention

Other

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference).

Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention

Other

Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference)

Primary outcomes

  1. Behavioral: interference rate

    Time frame: before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

    Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill

  2. Neural: brain connectivity change

    Time frame: before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

    Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity

Secondary outcomes

  1. Behavioral: interference rate

    Time frame: before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)

    Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill

  2. Neural: brain connectivity change

    Time frame: before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)

    Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medical University of South Carolina

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Probing Mechanisms of Procedural Memory Transformation With Cross-frequency Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (Cf-tACS) as an Avenue to Sculpt Sensorimotor Behavior

Acronym: MEM_MOD

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 14, 2023
Registry last updated
Apr 7, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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