Adolescence is a time of development in the brain and microbiome, including the microbiome present in the mouth called the oral microbiome. Alcohol use often begins and escalates during adolescence, which can cause changes to the oral microbiome leading to changes in the brain. The alcohol specific changes to the oral microbiome and the brain may make adolescents more vulnerable to a lifelong struggle with alcohol use disorder. This study will collect (1) saliva to assess the composition of the oral microbiome and (2) brain measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) across adolescents who may or may not use alcohol. Findings from this study will help form a more thorough understanding of the biological consequences of adolescent alcohol use, with the long-term goal of informing novel prevention and intervention efforts.

The aim of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to capture images of participants' brains and apply an image processing method called INSCAPE to assess brain states. This study will recruit participants who are scheduled to receive accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Participation in this study involves two visits, each including a 30-minute MRI scan. The interval between each visit is about one week. Depressed participants will also complete mood assessments at various intervals while they are receiving accelerated TMS for depression.

Hypermobile EDS and hypermobile spectrum disorder (collectively referred to as hEDS) are estimated to affect 1 in 500 individuals worldwide. This study will enroll hEDS patients to test a new ear stimulation system to help reduce symptoms associated with hEDS, including pain and GI problems. Ear stimulation will be applied twice daily, for four weeks at home, and we will collect electronic behavioral data to track progress.

As people get older, understanding speech in a noisy environment can become more difficult. The MUSC Hearing Research Program is seeking healthy adults between 25 and 89 years of age to participate in a research study to investigate the connection between listening difficulties and the brain. Payment is provided for participation and scheduling is flexible. The study involves two visits. Participants must be able to complete an MRI. Please contact us if you would like to participate in this research or learn more about our study.

For this study, we are recruiting 54 individuals with Parkinson's Disease and Freezing of Gait (FOG) who are planning to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). The objective of this study is to better understand the FOG response to DBS. Prior to DBS study participants will undergo a MRI scan, behavioral assessment related to walking, a cognitive evaluation, and assessment of other Parkinson's disease symptoms. Following DBS participants will repeat these assessments at multiple timepoints over the period of one year. Overall, participants will complete a total of 7 visits over a period of approximately 1 year.

Smoking is one of the main public health problems. Smoking cessation is difficult because of nicotine dependence. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the frontal head has shown to be effective in the reduction of cigarette consumption and craving. In this study, we will evaluate the efficiency of a new form of rTMS called intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) for smoking cessation.

The goal of this study proposal is to develop a biorepository which will collect and store central nervous system (CNS) tissue, connective tissue, blood, or cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) for future research. This material will be collected from children with CNS conditions or defects. This will be a very useful resource to scientists who work to develop new approaches to prevent and treat conditions that affect children's brains and nervous systems.

The purpose of this research study is to study the utility of advanced blood testing for patients who have had a stroke and tend to form blood clots more than usual. The study involves blood tests using a new testing system that may detect issues with blood clotting easier than conventional tests. This is a 12-month study and will involve one blood draw and follow-up phone calls

Hypermobile EDS and hypermobile spectrum disorder (collectively referred to as hEDS) are estimated to affect 1 in 500 individuals worldwide. hEDS patients have limited treatment options for their numerous symptoms that impact the quality of life. This clinical trial tests a new ear stimulation method in hEDS patients to determine if it may improve quality of life.

Currently rTMS for treating depression is delivered without knowing whether the TMS pulses are synchronized with the patient's brain rhythms. We will study healthy and depressed adults with TMS inside of the MRI scanner or outside of the MRI scanner using optics, and test whether it matters precisely timing the TMS pulses with EEG.