TINA Study

STUDY BASICS

Are you age 50 or older? Do you often feel worried, stressed, or anxious? Have you participated or are you willing to participate in the “Effects of Worry on the Brain” study? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help find out if a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can reduce severe worrying. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Uncontrollable and intense worrying can lead to an increased risk of developing physical and mental health disorders. Medication and talk therapy can help some people manage their worrying, but the condition can be difficult to treat.

The purpose of this study is to find out if a non-invasive brain stimulation technique called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can reduce severe worrying. TMS is FDA-approved for the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but is not approved for the treatment of anxiety. Researchers hope their findings lead to better ways to treat severe worrying and anxiety in the future.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Age 50 and up
• Have already participated in or are also willing to participate in “Effects of Worry on the Brain” study (also known as Functional Neuroanatomy Correlates of Worry in Older Adults study)

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation includes:

• An assessment or screening visit that will take about 1.5 hours to complete
• 10 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) sessions. The TMS sessions are done daily Monday-Friday for 2 weeks, and will take 20 – 45 minutes to complete
• One fMRI scan that will last about 1 hour
• One follow-up phone call that will last about 1 hour
• Wearing a watch that measures physical activity and sleep patterns, and completing a sleep diary for three weeks (optional)