Cortical ExcitabilityNCT07588113
rTMS Induced Reduction in M1 Excitability
A study testing rTMS in people with Cortical Excitability and Primary Motor Cortex, run by Indiana University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
When learning a new skill, much of the improvement comes from small alterations the brain makes with each repetition during practice, but this isn't the only time that improvements are made during the learning process. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cortical Excitability, Primary Motor Cortex, Motor Skills
- What is being tested?
- rTMS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 32 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 23 Apr 2026to 23 Apr 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Between ages 18 and 45 years old (to avoid any changes in the developing brain, or with aging).
- Answer 'no' to questions 2 through 17 on the brain stimulation questionnaire as these factors can increase likelihood of adverse events with brain stimulation.
- No neurological damage, disease, or dysfunction (nerve damage, chronic pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy, epilepsy) that affect the upper limbs and limit the ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study
- No significant visual impairment that would prevent them from playing a video game.
Who cannot join
- Currently prescribed and taking stimulant medication (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc.)
- Consumption of over-the-counter stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine (coffee, soda, supplements, energy drinks, tobacco products, or other nicotine containing products such as gum, vape pens, etc...) 12 hours prior to entering the lab on the day of testing as this can directly affect cortical excitability. If a subject takes any of these substances 12 hours prior to the study visit they will be asked to reschedule for a later date.
- Have played a real stringed instrument in the last 12 months (e.g. guitar, bass, violin)
- Have played the videogame "Guitar Hero" on a traditional guitar controller in the last 12 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
National Institute for Fitness and Sport
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46202
Zachary Riley, zariley@iu.edu
About this study
Official title: The Effects of rTMS Induced Reduction in M1 Excitability on Early-online Learning and Retention in Dexterous Video-game Task
When learning a new skill, much of the improvement comes from small alterations the brain makes with each repetition during practice, but this isn't the only time that improvements are made during the learning process. Individuals also get better at the motor skills during the time between practices, through a process called "consolidation." It is known that an area of the brain called the primary motor cortex is involved in learning during active practice, but the investigators want to study if the primary motor cortex is important for consolidation. The investigators will examine how lowering the activity in this brain region affects your ability to consolidate learning to play a song on the videogame Guitar Hero.
Read the detailed description
Research employing rTMS-induced reductions in excitability showed that M1 had a large role in consolidation after practice, but was not responsible for the improvements that occur during practice. Though this study used a simple finger tapping task, additional studies have shown the role of M1 in task consolidation with ballistic movements and dynamic force-field learning tasks, while using rTMS to reduce cortical excitability. The main issue with previous studies is that they have been limited to a single digit, single joint, or non-transferrable laboratory tasks. This limits the application of these studies to real world scenarios, and shows the need for further research into this interaction. Therefore, we intend to examine the effect of an rTMS-induced reduction in M1 excitability, on the learning of a dynamic, two-handed video game task (Guitar Hero). This is important because it will help explain the role of M1 in learning complex, bimanual tasks. Our study will also directly address how M1 contributes to the fast and slow consolidation of dynamic, coordinated actions that more closely resemble real-world activities (video games). Ultimately, this knowledge is crucial to the development of targeted non-invasive brain stimulation protocols that could aid in the rehabilitation of patients with motor dysfunction, in which relearning complex coordinated motor tasks is a primary goal.
Objective(s)
- Primary Objective Our primary objective is to determine if short term inhibition of M1 with 1Hz rTMS (rTMS induced reductions in excitability) blocks the early online learning (fast and slow consolidation) that occurs when first playing a video game
- Secondary Objective Our secondary objective is to compare the amount of rTMS-induced reductions in excitability, measured with single pulse TMS motor-evoked potential cortical excitability, with the amount of fast and slow consolidation observed in playing the video game.
- Conditions
- Cortical Excitability, Primary Motor Cortex, Motor Skills
- Being tested
- rTMS
- Keywords
- Learning, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Repetitive
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
rTMSDevice
Also called Sham
in the arm/group descriptions
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| rTMS stimulation group | Experimental | this group will receive 15 minutes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex while seated quietly Receives: Device: rTMS |
| SHAM stimulation group | Placebo comparator | This group will have the same stimulating wand placed over the head, but at a distance far enough away as to not activate the cortical neurons. Receives: Device: rTMS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Gaming outcome
Primary outcome measures will include comparing video game performance (number of correct notes played, overstrums) across the three testing sessions.
Measured: 3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Cortical Changes
Secondary outcome measures will include correlating cortical excitability with the amount of learning observed in video game performance.
Measured: 3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 May 2026
- Study start23 Apr 2026
- Primary completion23 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion23 Apr 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Cortical ExcitabilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- 2 groups- a stimulation group and a sham group that will be recruited and tested in parallel with one another.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Indiana University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zachary Riley, Indiana University
- Investigators
- Zachary Riley, Principal investigator, Professor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07588113
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 30610
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 1 May 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No: We do not plan to share study participant data
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of rTMS Induced Reduction in M1 Excitability on Early-online Learning and Retention in Dexterous Video-game Task
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07588113
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 30610
- Conditions
- Cortical Excitability, Primary Motor Cortex, Motor Skills
- Keywords
- Learning, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Repetitive
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Indiana UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 23 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
When learning a new skill, much of the improvement comes from small alterations the brain makes with each repetition during practice, but this isn't the only time that improvements are made during the learning process. Individuals also get better at the motor skills during the time between practices, through a process called "consolidation." It is known that an area of the brain called the primary motor cortex is involved in learning during active practice, but the investigators want to study if the primary motor cortex is important for consolidation. The investigators will examine how lowering the activity in this brain region affects your ability to consolidate learning to play a song on the videogame Guitar Hero.
Detailed description
Research employing rTMS-induced reductions in excitability showed that M1 had a large role in consolidation after practice, but was not responsible for the improvements that occur during practice. Though this study used a simple finger tapping task, additional studies have shown the role of M1 in task consolidation with ballistic movements and dynamic force-field learning tasks, while using rTMS to reduce cortical excitability. The main issue with previous studies is that they have been limited to a single digit, single joint, or non-transferrable laboratory tasks. This limits the application of these studies to real world scenarios, and shows the need for further research into this interaction. Therefore, we intend to examine the effect of an rTMS-induced reduction in M1 excitability, on the learning of a dynamic, two-handed video game task (Guitar Hero). This is important because it will help explain the role of M1 in learning complex, bimanual tasks. Our study will also directly address how M1 contributes to the fast and slow consolidation of dynamic, coordinated actions that more closely resemble real-world activities (video games). Ultimately, this knowledge is crucial to the development of targeted non-invasive brain stimulation protocols that could aid in the rehabilitation of patients with motor dysfunction, in which relearning complex coordinated motor tasks is a primary goal.
Objective(s)
- Primary Objective Our primary objective is to determine if short term inhibition of M1 with 1Hz rTMS (rTMS induced reductions in excitability) blocks the early online learning (fast and slow consolidation) that occurs when first playing a video game
- Secondary Objective Our secondary objective is to compare the amount of rTMS-induced reductions in excitability, measured with single pulse TMS motor-evoked potential cortical excitability, with the amount of fast and slow consolidation observed in playing the video game.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 2 groups- a stimulation group and a sham group that will be recruited and tested in parallel with one another.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| rTMS stimulation group | Experimental | Device: rTMSthis group will receive 15 minutes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex while seated quietly |
| SHAM stimulation group | Placebo comparator | Device: rTMSThis group will have the same stimulating wand placed over the head, but at a distance far enough away as to not activate the cortical neurons. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Between ages 18 and 45 years old (to avoid any changes in the developing brain, or with aging).
- Answer 'no' to questions 2 through 17 on the brain stimulation questionnaire as these factors can increase likelihood of adverse events with brain stimulation.
- No neurological damage, disease, or dysfunction (nerve damage, chronic pain disorders, diabetic neuropathy, epilepsy) that affect the upper limbs and limit the ability to complete the study, and/or compromise the objectives of the study
- No significant visual impairment that would prevent them from playing a video game.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Currently prescribed and taking stimulant medication (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse, etc.)
- Consumption of over-the-counter stimulants such as caffeine or nicotine (coffee, soda, supplements, energy drinks, tobacco products, or other nicotine containing products such as gum, vape pens, etc...) 12 hours prior to entering the lab on the day of testing as this can directly affect cortical excitability. If a subject takes any of these substances 12 hours prior to the study visit they will be asked to reschedule for a later date.
- Have played a real stringed instrument in the last 12 months (e.g. guitar, bass, violin)
- Have played the videogame "Guitar Hero" on a traditional guitar controller in the last 12 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| rTMSAlso: Shamin the arm/group descriptions | Device | SHAM stimulation group, rTMS stimulation group |
Primary outcome
Gaming outcome
Time frame: 3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)
Primary outcome measures will include comparing video game performance (number of correct notes played, overstrums) across the three testing sessions.
1 secondary outcome
Cortical Changes
Time frame: 3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. We do not plan to share study participant data
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Zachary Riley principal investigator
Professor
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing rTMS in people with Cortical Excitability and Primary Motor Cortex, run by Indiana University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Zachary A Riley (317-274-1487, zariley@iu.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Gaming outcome (time frame: 3 sessions, sessions 1 & 2 on the first day and session 3 on the follow-up day (next day)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Jun 2026.