This is a study to investigate if a device that temporarily changes brain activity (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, rTMS) might be used to change how healthy participants make decisions. This study involves 2 visits to MUSC that will each take between 2-3 hours. This study is not a treatment study, but it could help inform studies investigating treatment in the future. Participants in this study will be compensated for their time.
Sometimes, it is necessary to re-learn a previously learned movement behavior, for example, a bad posture during the golf drive or while playing the piano. Unlearning or relearning an intensively trained behavior is particularly important if the behavior is hampering recovery, for example, in chronic pain or after a stroke. With this study, we experimentally test the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill with electroencephalography (EEG). We will then use non-invasive brain stimulation to modulate these brain mechanisms and test if it is possible to change the pre-existing motor memory and the learning of a new motor skill.
This study is to explore the relationship between lupus and hypertension (high blood pressure). Female volunteers between the ages of 18-65 are needed who meet 1 of 4 possible participation types: 1. Participants with diagnosis of lupus and hypertension, 2.Participants with lupus without hypertension, 3.Participants without lupus but have hypertension, or 4. Participants that have no lupus diagnosis or hypertension.
Study participation includes a 1 time visit to the Research Nexus and involves a review of currently available medical records and a brief participant questionnaire specific to demographics and behaviors. The study visit includes a series of 3 blood pressure readings and a blood collection of approximately 2 tablespoons of blood. Compensation is available.
In this research study, healthy participants will receive ear stimulation during brain imaging. Ear stimulation will involve the study team applying small electrodes to the outer part of your left ear and administering small amounts of electrical stimulation that may cause you to feel a "tickling" sensation on your ear. Participants will receive four, 8-min ear stimulation sessions in the scanner, and the order of the sessions is randomly assigned to you.
Knowledge gained from this study will help us better understand how stimulation of nerves in your ear turns on different parts of the brain.
This study is attempting to understand whether 30-minutes of a new ear stimulation technology can reduce pain in healthy individuals. Participants in this trial will attend two experimental visits, during which they will receive ear stimulation during the intravenous administration (I.V.) of either saline or naloxone. During each visit, the amount of thermal pain participants can tolerate will be determined before and after ear stimulation. Brain scans will also be collected before and after ear stimulation. Each visit should last about 3 hours.