Influence of TMS on Attention Modulation

Auburn University40 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to help understand how attention processes influence brain engagement during emotion and social cognition. The investigators also want to know if these processes are associated with drinking alcohol. Participation includes three study visits of about 2 hours each over approximately a month. The first visit involves a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and answering survey questions. Each of the next two visits will involve a session of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique) followed by another MRI scan. People in the Auburn/Opelika area 19 or older are eligible to participate. People who drink alcohol and people who do not drink or don't drink very much are invited to participate.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Drinking, Alcohol

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1\. Age 18 or Older 2A. (Drinker Group): Reports consuming 4 \[if female\]/ 5 \[if male\] or more standard drinks on one occasion at least 2 times a month AND/OR reports consuming more than 7 \[if female\]/ 14 \[if male\] standard drinks per week on average 2B. (Healthy Volunteer Group): Reports consuming 4 \[if female\]/ 5 \[if male\] or more standard drinks on one occasion less than once a month AND reports consuming less than 7 \[if female\]/ 14 \[if male\] standard drinks per week on average Exclusion Criteria: 1. MRI Contraindications 1. Presence of metal in the body that would make having a 7T MRI unsafe (including facial tattoos) 2. Claustrophobia, such that individual would be unable to stay in the MRI for up to 1 hr 3. Hearing loss, including tinnitus, that might be made worse by MRI or TMS 2. TMS Contraindications 1. Has ever had a seizure, or has a family history of epilepsy 2. Taking medications or substances that lower the seizure threshold\* 3. Implanted devices that are in the head or rely on physiological signals 4. History of neurological disease, such as stroke or brain tumor 5. Head injury with loss of consciousness greater than 30 minutes 6. Actively withdrawing from alcohol 3. Family history of schizophrenia or presence of psychotic symptoms