Rtms

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Common treatments like antidepressant medications and talk therapy work well for some people, but many others do not improve, even after trying multiple treatments. This study will investigate two alternative treatment options for people whose depression has not responded to standard treatments: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive form of brain stimulation, and ketamine, a fast-acting medication. It can be difficult to decide between these interventions in clinical practice, and selecting between them often comes down to patient preference and trial and error. This study is working to optimize the selection approach: using biological and behavioral markers to match each person to identify biomarkers that may predict response to rTMS or ketamine. Investigators believe that differences in how individuals respond to rTMS versus ketamine are partly explained by differences in how their brains are organized, and that these differences can be measured and used to guide intervention decisions. This is an early-stage pilot study designed to test whether this biomarker-based approach is practical and acceptable to patients. Investigators will evaluate how well a combination of brain imaging and clinical data can predict, at the individual level, who is likely to respond to rTMS versus ketamine. The ultimate goal is to develop a reliable, scalable tool that helps clinicians make faster and more informed intervention decisions, reducing the time people with treatment-resistant depression spend searching for an antidepressant that works.

This study is exploring a new approach to treating depression in people with bipolar disorder (BD). Investigators are testing whether a non-invasive form of brain stimulation can help us understand depressed-to-euthymic mood shifts and their related brain circuits in BD. Investigators in this study will use a technique called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS. It uses non-invasive magnetic pulses delivered to the scalp to stimulate specific areas of the brain. rTMS is already used to treat depression, and investigators are now studying whether it can be made even more effective for people with bipolar disorder by precisely targeting an individualized brain region for each participant. Participants in this study will receive two courses of rTMS, one active and one placebo (called "sham"), in a randomized order so investigators can directly compare the effects. Before treatment, investigators will use brain scans (MRI) to create a personalized map of each participant's brain activity. This lets investigators identify the exact stimulation target most likely to influence the brain circuits involved in BD mood shifts. Investigators will track mood symptoms closely throughout the study to measure what changes. Investigators believe that depression in BD is partly driven by disrupted communication between two brain regions involved in processing what feels important or rewarding. Investigators want to find out whether rTMS can restore that communication and whether doing so leads to measurable improvements in depression.

The central hypothesis is this: Brain circuits most relevant to cannabis use in schizophrenia are distinct from pathways identified in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study seeks to provide evidence that targeted stimulation of the DMN leads to both altered network activity and a concomitant behavioral change in cue-induced craving and cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, while targeted stimulation of the L DLPFC leads to these changes in healthy controls who use cannabis. This study will test a model that integrates brain network pathophysiology and cognition to 1) explain the prevalence of cannabis use in schizophrenia and 2) identify a target for engagement in schizophrenia. This study seeks to establish a neuroscientific framework to guide future treatment-oriented studies aimed at reducing craving and improving cognitive performance in individuals with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This is a study of the effect of 2 rTMS interventions on functional connectivity and craving in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and healthy controls who use cannabis. Aim 1: Target Engagement: Determine if rTMS manipulates functional connectivity of each target (DMN, L DLPFC) (n=100). Aim 2: Clinical Efficacy: Determine if rTMS affects cue-induced craving and if craving change correlates with change in functional connectivity (n=100). As an exploratory analysis, the factors that explain individual variance in rTMS-induced connectivity change will also be explored.

Cigarette smoking is a significant public health concern for Veterans. Encouraging smoking cessation continues to be a top priority for the Veterans' Administration as Veterans who use tobacco experience negative health effects, including cancer, heart disease, and mental disorders. Despite the efficacy of current evidence-based pharmacotherapies and psychotherapies for smoking cessation, alternative treatments are critically needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation, US FDA-approved for smoking cessation. In this protocol, the investigators propose comparing the two rTMS protocols (standard TMS vs. precision TMS) to find a better treatment parameter for smoking cessation in Veterans. Identifying an efficacious rTMS protocol would benefit Veterans who want to quit smoking.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility, clinical and biological efficacy, and predictors of efficacy of an intervention consisting of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) or in asymptomatic persons at risk of FTLD (i.e., persons familiar with FTLD patients). rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, and has demonstrated the ability to modulate neuronal activity by applying high-frequency magnetic fields to the surface of the skull. rTMS offers a potentially effective means to influence neural networks involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, with benefits that could extend beyond symptomatic relief. Its safety has been widely documented in a variety of clinical conditions, making it an ideal candidate for application in neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, participants will undergo the following procedures: (i) clinical and neuropsychological assessment, (ii) TMS, and (iii) blood sampling. The occurrence of adverse events will be monitored throughout the duration of the study. The study is structured in two phases. In the first phase, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled, participants will be randomised into two groups: group 1, participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks; and group 2, placebo rTMS for 2 weeks. In the second, open-label phase, after 10 weeks, both group 1 and group 2 participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks. Each participant will receive a total of 4 weeks of intervention (4 weeks of real stimulation in group 1, or 2 weeks of real stimulation and 2 weeks of placebo stimulation in group 2), with 5 sessions per week (Monday to Friday) lasting approximately 30 minutes each. Visits will take place at the beginning of the study (T00) and after 2 weeks (T02, end of the first phase), 12 weeks (T12, beginning of the second phase), 14 weeks (T14, end of the second phase), 24 weeks (T24, follow-up). During each visit, participants underwent the following procedures: (i) clinical and neuropsychological assessment, (ii) blood sampling, and (iii) TMS. Specific biomarker analyses will be performed on the blood samples to study the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease and the effect of the experimental intervention.

Department of Psychiatry \| Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine The University of Hong Kong The Effectiveness of rTMS on Improving Food Cravings and Weight Control in Adults without Serious Mental Illness Introduction The investigators would like to invite participants to participate in an observational study on the efficacy of using magnetic fields to improve food cravings and weight control in adults without serious mental illness. The research leader is Dr. Cheng Pak Wing, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital/HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. Please read the following information carefully. If necessary, participants can discuss it with relatives, friends or doctors. If anything is unclear, or if participants would like more information, please ask us. Please carefully consider whether participants are willing to participate in this research. Research Purpose Food cravings are a common experience that can significantly impact an individual's mental and physical health. These intense desires for specific foods often lead to overconsumption of unhealthy foods, contributing to obesity, poor nutritional intake, and associated health conditions. Understanding the neural mechanisms behind food cravings is crucial for developing effective interventions to manage them. rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses magnetic fields to modulate neural activity in targeted brain regions. Over the years, rTMS has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders. Research Methods Participants Healthy adults aged 18-65 with self-reported food cravings or weight control issues. Treatment protocol Six sessions of rTMS using the EXOMIND™ device, administered once or twice a week. Each session will deliver 6,300 pulses at alternating frequencies of 12, 15, and 18 Hz, with a total duration of 24 minutes and 30 seconds. The target site would be left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), determined by the most common used 5-cm rule. The procedure would be conducted in the research centre with medical staff supported. A checklist of potential adverse effects from TMS administration will be referenced from existing literature to monitor tolerability and adverse events during each session. Blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded at the beginning and end of each session. Assessment Participants will be assessed at three time points: baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention, and four weeks post-intervention. Assessments: Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait (FCQ-T), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and BMI. Demographics: Age, gender, years of education, place of birth, marital status, number of children, financial condition, household income, family history of eating problems will be collected upon study entry. Medical history in relation to mental illnesses and medications will also be assessed.

The Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Improving Sleep Quality in Adults Without Serious Mental Illness Introduction The investigators would like to invite participants to participate in a study on the efficacy of using magnetic fields to improve sleep quality in adults with no serious mental illness. The research leader is Dr. Cheng Pak Wing, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital/ HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine. Please read the following information carefully. If necessary, participants can discuss with relatives, friends or doctors. If anything is unclear, or if participants would like more information, please ask us. Please carefully consider whether participants are willing to participate in this research. Research Purpose Sleep is a fundamental component of overall health and well-being, playing a crucial role in cognitive function, emotional regulation, and physical health. However, sleep complaints are common, even among otherwise healthy adults, often leading to reduced quality of life and increased health risks. The prevalence of poor sleep quality can be attributed to a variety of factors, including stress, lifestyle habits, and environmental disturbances. rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses magnetic fields to modulate neural activity in targeted brain regions. Over the years, rTMS has shown promise in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and clinical insomnia. Research Methods Participants Healthy adults aged 18-65 with self-reported sleep complaints. Treatment protocol Six sessions of rTMS using the EXOMIND™ device, administered once or twice a week. Each session will deliver 6,300 pulses at alternating frequencies of 12, 15, and 18 Hz, with a total duration of 24 minutes and 30 seconds. The target site would be left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), determined by the most common used 5-cm rule. The procedure would be conducted in the research centre with medical staff supported. A checklist of potential adverse effects from TMS administration will be referenced from existing literature to monitor tolerability and adverse events during each session. Blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded at the beginning and end of each session. Assessment Participants will be assessed at three time points: baseline (pre-intervention), post-intervention, and four weeks post-intervention. Assessments: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and home sleep monitoring device. Demographics: age, gender, years of education, place of birth, marital status, number of children, financial condition, household income, family history of sleep difficulties will be collected upon study entry. Medical history in relation to mental illnesses and medications will also be assessed.

Amphetamine Use Disorder (AUD) is a major public health issue in Taiwan, where it is the most commonly abused illegal drug. There are currently no effective approved medications to treat it, which makes finding new treatment options urgent. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation method, has shown promise in reducing cravings and drug use in people with addiction, but its effects on AUD are not well studied. To explore this, the investigators plan to conduct a double-blind, sham-controlled study with 20 people diagnosed with AUD. Half will receive real rTMS treatment, and half will receive a placebo-like sham treatment. The treatment targets a specific brain area (the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and will be given 10 times over two weeks. The investigators will assess the effectiveness of rTMS by tracking drug cravings, urine test results, and side effects with follow-up over 12 weeks. The investigators also include brain imaging using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) after the treatment. The study aims to better understand how rTMS might help reduce amphetamine cravings and improve outcomes, potentially leading to new treatment options for AUD.

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent symptoms of attention deficit and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity . Currently, the first line drugs for treating ADHD are central stimulants such as Tomoxetine and Guanfaxine. However, there is a risk of drug abuse and misuse, which often affects sleep and appetite, only 50% of patients can fully tolerate. This project uses the iTBS stimulation on weekends, children with ADHD finish scale evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging analysis, and cognitive function before and after stimulation, This study explores its therapeutic effect on attention deficit in children and adolescents with ADHD.