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Pulsed tVNS Protocol and Reinforcement Learning

NCT06205108 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 40

Last updated 2024-01-12

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential of a phasic taVNS stimulation protocol for reinforcement learning. The investigators will disentangle its effects on learning actions and outcomes through the administration of pulsed stimulation during different stages of learning (stimulation during action vs. stimulation during outcome). This will provide insights into optimal stimulation timing and help determine whether pulsed vagal stimulation can be more effective when paired with instrumental actions or rewarding feedback. Developing a tool that non-invasively improves value-based decision-making by using pulsed stimulation would redefine the application options of taVNS. It will enable tVNS to act as a teaching signal comparable to physiological signals in reward-based learning. In the long run, this may inform targeted interventions for individuals with altered reward function, a key symptom in a range of mental disorders.

As part of the study, The investigators will test three hypotheses:

H1 - Instrument Learning Task: Participants will show improved action-outcome learning when positive feedback after a cue is paired with an effective high-intensity stimulation compared to sham stimulation (sham/taVNS).

H2 - Instrumental Learning Task: Participants will show improved action-outcome learning when the action leading to a reward with higher probability (i.e., correct choice) is stimulated with high intensity stimulation. Again, this will only be observable for active but not sham stimulation (sham/taVNS).

H3 - Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): Behavioral gains in learning of the cues in the high-intensity active stimulation condition are correlated with higher signals in the midbrain and dorsal striatum during feedback (reward presentation) or action.

Conditions

  • Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Reward Learning

Interventions

DEVICE

taVNS stimulation

Non-invasive stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (cymba conchae). Research device from tVNS technologies.

DEVICE

sham stimulation

Non-invasive stimulation of the ear lob (not innervated by the vagus nerve). Research device from tVNS technologies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Bonn

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
35 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2023-11-28
Primary Completion
2024-06-30
Completion
2024-06-30

Countries

  • Germany

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06205108 on ClinicalTrials.gov