Neural Mechanisms of the Social Brain
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorYale University
About this trial
This study aims to understand the neural mechanisms that underlie synchronization of two brains during social interactions.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
DeviceTMS to targeted regions. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, tDCS, to targeted and sham regions.
Treatment groups
50 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Sham ComparatorSham comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Experimental ComparatorExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Percent change in hemodynamic signals
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. Measurement of brain oxygenation during cognitive assessment. The variable of interest will be changes in fNIRS oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin signals (% change from baseline) during the cognitive assessment.
Time frame
Baseline and At time of measurement, approximately one hour2
Electroencephalography (EEG) response to live face gaze
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation. EEG response to live face gaze is acquired for frequencies between 1 and 20 Hz. Oscillatory signals will be partitioned into Theta (4-8 Hz) and Alpha (8-12 Hz) frequencies for comparisons before and after TMS. Higher values indicate better score.
Time frame
At time of measurement, approximately one hour3
Eye Contact Behavior
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (amplitude). Free viewing Eye tracking measures are detected by light reflections acquired at 120 Hz. Eye to eye contact is computationally determined by comparison of the eye tracking measures between the two partners.
Time frame
At time of measurement, approximately one hour4
Face Gaze Behavior
Statistical comparison of measures before and after stimulation (Action Units). Facial dynamics are quantified by rapid photography and AI programs (OpenFace) that classify categories of facial expressions. There are 17 facial expressions that will be acquired during the face gaze conditions.
Time frame
At time of measurement, approximately one hourSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Yale University
Lead sponsor
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov