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NCT07635940From ClinicalTrials.govRecruiting

Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Social Cognition, Cognitive Processing, and Functional Brain Architecture

Effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Social Cognition, Cognitive Processing, and Functional Brain Architecture in Psychopathy

  • Psychopathy

At a glance

Phase
Phase not stated
Study type
Interventional
Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Enrolment target
60
Started
13 July 2026
Main results due
June 2030
Study sites
1
Registry updated
29 September 2026

Can you take part?

  • Ages 18 years to 60 years.
  • Open to any sex.
  • You need the condition being studied — healthy volunteers are not accepted.

These are the headline rules only. Every study has a longer list, and whether you are eligible is decided by the research team at the site — never by this page.

Read the full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-60 years.
* Elevated psychopathy as defined by the self-report psychopathy scale.
* IQ \>= 80.
* No prior diagnosis or current risk of Autism as defined by the autism spectrum quotient.
* Negative urine drug screen.
* At least 7 Days of abstinence from substance use (excluding nicotine)
* Able to provide informed consent.
* No change in psychiatric medication regimen, or medication-free, for 4 weeks before study.
* Adequate English proficiency to complete study procedures and assessments.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or lifetime DSM-5 psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, or autism spectrum disorder.
* IQ \< 80.
* Clinically significant neurological disorder or medical illness that would make study participation unsafe, including a history of seizures or significant cardiovascular disease.
* Clinically significant abnormality identified on baseline MRI.
* Contraindication to MRI or inability to undergo MRI scanning.
* Current pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness greater than 15 minutes.
* Diagnosis of dementia.
* Current prescription for benzodiazepines or anticonvulsants.
* Metal implants or non-removable metal objects above the waist.
* Lifetime history of prior clinical treatment with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
* Serious risk of suicide or homicide.
* Unable or unwilling to comply with study procedures.
* History of intractable migraine.
* Claustrophobia or inability to tolerate enclosed spaces required for MRI procedures.

What this study is about

In the sponsor’s own words, from the registry.

This clinical trial will examine whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a noninvasive form of brain stimulation, can influence social cognition, cognitive processing, and brain function in adults with elevated psychopathic traits. The study will also evaluate the safety and feasibility of delivering TMS in this population.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active TMS or sham (placebo-like) TMS. The study will compare outcomes between participants receiving active versus sham TMS and will evaluate changes from before to after TMS exposure.

Participants will:

* Complete a baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan. * Receive three single-session TMS interventions. * Complete a post-intervention MRI brain scan. * Complete assessments of social cognition. * Complete assessments of cognitive processing.

The primary objectives are to determine whether TMS can influence social cognition, cognitive processing, and functional brain organization and connectivity in adults with elevated psychopathic traits.

Study sites(1)

  • University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

    Aurora, Colorado, United States

    Recruiting

Showing 1 of 1 sites. 1 of the 1 site on this study is recruiting right now — a site can stop enrolling while the study as a whole is still open.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT07635940. Trialion does not run this study, is not paid to refer anyone to it, and cannot enrol you. Eligibility is always decided by the research team at the site.

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