University of Basel, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4055, Switzerland
Location status: Recruiting
Recruiting
NCT Number: NCT07191275
Study on the Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on the Perception of Emotional Images
The goal of the current clinical trial is to investigate whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over specific brain areas can influence the perception of emotional images and emotional memory. TMS is a non-invasive superficial brain stimulation generated by a magnetic field. The results of the study aim to provide valuable insights for the use of TMS in the investigation of mental processes.
Recruiting
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Conditions
Age range
18 year–30 year
Sex eligibility
All sexes
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- Generally healthy
- Normotensive (BP 90/60mmHg - 140/90mmHg)
- BMI: 18 - 30 kg/m2
- Fluent in speaking German
Exclusion criteria
- Metal in the head area (e.g., splinters, fragments, clips, etc.)
- Implanted neurostimulator (e.g., DBS, epidural/subdural, VNS)
- Cardiac pacemaker or intracardiac lines
- Medication infusion device
- Non removable metal piercings in the head area, pivot teeth (retainers are no exclusion criterion)
- Tattoos (head area) less than 3 months old or older than 20 years
- Condition after neurosurgery
- Hearing problems or tinnitus
- Not able to sit still due to tremor, tics, itching
- History of repeated syncope
- Head trauma diagnosed as concussion or associated with loss of consciousness
- diagnosis of epilepsy, or a convulsion or a seizure in the past of the participant or his/her close family (parents and siblings)
- TMS in the past showing problems
- Spinal or ventricular derivations
- Positive pregnancy test
- Alcohol intake 12 hours before TMS visits
- Regular intake of any medication (excluding oral contraceptives)
- CNS-active medication or illegal drugs 48h before TMS visits
- Individual's rMT above the limits of rTMS device
- Suicidal tendency as measured by Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), item 10 > 0
Treatment and study plan
Experimental continuous 30 Hz thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation
DeviceBilateral continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) 30 Hz to the temporo-occipital cortex
- Frequency: trains of 30 Hz (3 pulses) every 167 ms (frequency of 6 Hz, in the range of theta band)
- Intensity: 100% of resting motor threshold (rMT)
- Location: consecutively on left and right temporo-occipital cortex (MNI: -47, -77, 4; 50, -69, -4)
- Duration: 33.3 seconds for each side
- Timing: Immediately before showing IAPS pictures (off-line)
Other names: cTBS 30Hz, TMS cTBS 30Hz
Control continuous 30 Hz thetaburst transcranial magnetic stimulation
DeviceActive control condition using bilateral continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) 30 Hz to the superior parietal cortex
- Frequency: trains of 30 Hz (3 pulses) every 167 ms (frequency of 6 Hz, in the range of theta band)
- Intensity: 100% of resting motor threshold (rMT)
- Location: consecutively on left and right superior parietal cortex (MNI: -17, -70, 60; 17, -70, 60)
- Duration: 33.3 seconds
- Timing: Immediately before showing IAPS pictures (off-line)
Other names: cTBS 30Hz, TMS cTBS 30 Hz
Primary outcomes
-
Emotional valence for aversive pictures
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes
The mean valence rating of aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.
Secondary outcomes
-
Emotional arousal
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes
The mean arousal rating of aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.
-
Aversive episodic memory
Time frame: Approximately one hour after the intervention
Number of aversive pictures remembered in a free recall pictorial task using IAPS picture set
Other outcomes
-
Emotional valence for non-aversive pictures
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes
The mean valence rating of non-aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.
-
Emotional arousal for non-aversive pictures
Time frame: Immediately after the intervention, lasting for approximately 7 minutes
The mean arousal rating of non-aversive pictures as assessed by a visual analogue scale assessed directly after TMS.
-
Non-aversive episodic memory
Time frame: Approximately one hour after the intervention
Number of non-aversive pictures remembered in a free recall pictorial task using IAPS picture set
Study contacts
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD
Other
Registry information
Official study title
The Effect of TMS on Emotional Valence Evaluation of Aversive Pictures
Acronym: SAME-M
Important dates
- Study start
- 2025
- Primary completion
- 2026
- Study completion
- 2026
- First posted
- Sep 24, 2025
- Registry last updated
- Nov 21, 2025
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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