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RECOVERS - Realigning Emotion and COgnition Via prEcision Regulation networkS
A Multiphase Program of Multimodal Computational Modeling and Hybrid Interventions Including EEG-Synchronized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Who can join
Ages 18 to 65 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Study 1 (Healthy Participants) Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years * Medically and psychiatrically healthy with no history of psychiatric or neurological disorders * English-speaking * Capacity to provide informed consent * Willingness and ability to complete study procedures * Negative pregnancy test for participants of childbearing potential Exclusion Criteria: * Any current or past psychiatric diagnosis * Neurological disorders or history of central nervous system disease * History of seizure or epilepsy or use of medications that lower seizure threshold * Significant head injury or loss of consciousness * Implanted metal or contraindications to MRI or TMS * Substance use disorder (excluding nicotine or caffeine) * Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during study participation * Inability to complete study procedures Studies 2, 3, and 4 (Participants With Depression) Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-65 years * Current diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) * Depression severity consistent with study criteria (e.g., HAM-D ≥17) * No history of psychotic or bipolar disorders * English-speaking * Capacity to provide informed consent * Willingness and ability to complete study procedures * Negative pregnancy test for participants of childbearing potential Exclusion Criteria: * Neurological disorders or history of central nervous system disease * History of seizure or epilepsy or use of medications that lower seizure threshold * Significant head injury or loss of consciousness * Implanted metal or contraindications to MRI or TMS * Substance use disorder (excluding nicotine or caffeine) * Current participation in another interventional clinical trial * Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant during study participation * Any condition that would interfere with safe participation or completion of study procedures
About the study
In this research study, investigators examine how brain activity changes during tests of emotional processing, attention, and memory using multimodal neuroimaging methods including electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to probe and modulate brain networks related to cognitive flexibility and emotion regulation.
The study includes multiple related sub-studies involving healthy participants and participants with depression. Some study components focus on mechanistic modeling using non-therapeutic neurostimulation in healthy participants, while other components include interventional approaches such as individualized EEG-synchronized repetitive TMS (rTMS), cognitive tasks, and brief cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in participants with depression. Certain study components also evaluate CBT alone without TMS to assess behavioral intervention effects.
What is being tested
- Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (device)
- EEG-Synchronized Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) (device)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (behavioral)
- Cognitive Flexibility and Emotion Regulation Tasks (behavioral)
Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina · Participants: 120 · Started: Feb 1, 2024
Contact the study team
- Lisa McTeague, PhD · Phone: 843-792-8274
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05977439
Locations in the U.S.
| South Carolina | Medical Univeristy of South Carolina, Charleston |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.