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 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.
This study is testing citicoline as a possible medication to treat alcohol use disorder. Youth (ages 16-22) will be randomly assigned to receive either citicoline (2000mg per day) and or a placebo for four weeks.
All participants will receive brief counseling from a trained clinician and will undergo a brain scan and cognitive testing at the beginning and end of the treatment.
Participants must provide informed consent and youth under 18 must have parental consent to participate. The full study will last approximately one month.
Compensation is available to those who qualify.
Alcohol misuse is a risk factor for early onset cognitive impairment, contributing to 10% of early onset dementia, with risk corresponding to consumption. Additionally, continued drinking risks worsening cognitive decline and dementia progression, while worsening cognitive impairment contributes to drinking escalation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to improve cognition in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dimentias (ADRD) and separately reduce heavy drinking in alcohol use disorder. Our objective is to optimize rTMS for simultaneous mitigation of both drinking and cognitive dysfunction in older adults.
The purpose of this study is to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take images of a participant's brain, and then apply an investigational way of processing the image, called Individualized Network-based Single-frame Coactivation Pattern Estimation ("INSCAPE") to measure participant's brain activity. This method uses a computer program to understand which parts of the brain communicate with each other and creates a map of the brain areas that are connected.
Participants being recruited in this study will include people planning to receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ("TMS") for Major Depressive Disorder ("MDD"). Healthy participants are also being recruited. Images taken of depressed participants' brains will be compared to images of non-depressed participants' brains. Participation in this study will require three visits in which you will undergo MRI scans. The interval between each visits is about 3 weeks. Depressed participants will also complete mood assessments at several different intervals while they are receiving TMS for depression.
During each visit, MRI scans will require about 30 minutes of time in total. During the MRI scan, participants will need to stay still, relax, and keep eyes open in the scanner.
The goal of this study is to demonstrate that Photon Counting CT (PC-CT) creates similar or better-quality pictures of the body compared to CT systems we currently use in the clinic. The department of Radiology will be conducting this study using the new PC-CT system at MUSC for imaging of the head, neck, and blood vessels. Participants in this study will receive their normally ordered imaging scan as well as an additional imaging scan on the PC-CT machine. This second scan will take place within a month following the first normally ordered imaging study. This additional scan will be the only extra visit for this research study. Risks are the same as a typical CT scan which can include radiation dose, IV dye allergies, risks from IV, and potential loss of confidentiality.
This study will examine how marijuana use can affect oral bacteria and brain health in people with HIV and without HIV. Early studies show that marijuana users have more oral bacteria than non-marijuana users. The increase in bacteria is believed to affect brain health. Participation in the study will be one visit. The visit will take approximately 120 minutes.