Neuroendocrine Mapping of the Cerebral Cortex

Stanford University

Overview

This study is investigating brain regions that share functional connectivity with the hypothalamus and the stimulation of those regions using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to activate the hypothalamus indirectly. The goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness of rTMS in influencing the hypothalamus to better understand the mechanisms between it and the neuroendocrine processes it controls.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Healthy

Interventions

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDEVICE

Participants will receive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to determine if stimulating areas with activating functional connectivity will activate the hypothalamus and in turn, have a measurable effect on hormone levels.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 21 YearsMax age: 55 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 21-55 * Gender: Females and Males * Weight: Less than 280 pounds * Mobile * Normal vision with corrective lenses if necessary * Fluent in English (written and spoken) Exclusion Criteria: * History of epilepsy/seizures (including history of withdrawal/provoked seizures) * Metal implant in brains (e.g. deep stimulation), cardiac pacemaker, or cochlear implants * Shrapnel or any ferromagnetic item in the head * Showing symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines * Current severe insomnia (must sleep a minimum of 4 hours the night before stimulation) * Migraine or significant headaches * Shoulder or neck stiffness * Over 280 pounds * In-dwelling ferrous metals * Left handed * Abnormal hearing * Abnormal vision that cannot be corrected with lenses * Claustrophobia * Illicit drug use * Psychotropic medication use * Marijuana and/or nicotine use * Psychiatric or neurological conditions * Endocrine conditions * History of head trauma with loss of consciousness

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Plasma GnRH levels resulting from hypothalamus activation via LC-MS

Measure levels of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma vasopressin levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the vasopressin hormone in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma oxytocin levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the oxytocin hormone in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma TRH levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma CRH levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma somatostatin levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the somatostatin hormone, or growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (GHIH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Time frame: 3 hours

Plasma PRLH levels via LC-MS

Measure levels of the prolactin-releasing hormone (PRLH) in blood plasma through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting from hypothalamus and neuroendocrine activation

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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Neuroendocrine Mapping of the Cerebral Cortex

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes