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Location- and Frequency-Dependent Effects of Thalamic Temporal Interference Stimulation During Sleep
Who can join
Ages 18 to 40 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Medically healthy (based on self-report and study team review) * U.S. citizen or holding permanent resident status * English-speaking (able to provide consent and complete questionnaires) Exclusion Criteria: * Any current or past history of neurological disorders or acquired neurological disease (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury), including intracranial lesions (including clinically significant findings identified in first MRI) * History of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization * History of head trauma resulting in prolonged loss of consciousness; or a history of greater than 3 grade I concussions * Current history of poorly controlled headaches including intractable or poorly controlled migraines * Any systemic illness or unstable medical condition that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.) * History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, history of abnormal (epileptiform) EEG, or family history of treatment resistant epilepsy except for a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizures) in the judgment of a board-certified neurologist * Possible pregnancy or plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months (self reported) * Any metal in the head * Any medical devices or implants (i.e. cardiac pacemaker, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, vagal nerve stimulator) * Dental implants * Permanent retainers * Any hair braid, dreadlocks, hair pieces, or extensions which cannot be taken out before the study sessions * Any head coverings or headdress that participant feels uncomfortable removing for the purposes of study sessions * Any medication that may alter seizure threshold taken during the study i.e., ADHD stimulants (Adderall, amphetamine); Tricyclic/atypical antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepine, imipramine, maprotiline, nortriptyline, bupropion); SSRIs (Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Sertraline); Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, clozapine), Bronchodilators (theophylline, aminophylline); Antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, imipenem, penicillin, cephalosporins, metronidazole, isoniazid); Antivirals (valacyclovir, ritonavir); OTC antihistamines (diphenhydramine, Benadryl) * Claustrophobia (a fear of small or closed places) * Back problems that would prevent lying flat for up to two hours * Regular night-shift work (second or third shift) * Sleep apnea or other sleep disorder (self-reported)
About the study
This study is to find out whether a type of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation called temporal interference transcranial electrical stimulation (TI-TES) can temporarily change brain activity during sleep, especially sleep spindles (brain rhythms in the \~8-16 Hz range). Up to 24 healthy participants in Dane County, Wisconsin will be enrolled for 3 overnight study visits. Participants can expect to be on study for approximately 5 weeks, depending on scheduling availability.
What is being tested
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (other)
- Broad thalamic stimulation (TI-TES) (device)
- Carrier only SHAM stimulation (device)
- Anterior thalamic stimulation (TI-TES) (device)
- Posterior thalamic stimulation (TI-TES) (device)
Sponsor: University of Wisconsin, Madison · Participants: 24 · Started: Jun 5, 2026
Contact the study team
- Sean Prahl · Phone: 608-263-4313
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07498270
Locations in the U.S.
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness, Madison |
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.