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Roflumilast and TMS Motor Plasticity

Other Conditions of Brain

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses a magnetic field to non-invasively induce electrical function within the brain. Stimulation allows brain cells to change the way that they adapt and communicate with each other, known as 'synaptic plasticity'. It is thought that alterations in these adaptive brain changes underlie the ability of rTMS to treat mental illnesses like depression.

The regulation of synaptic plasticity is complex, and involves multiple interacting factors and redundant systems to ensure that plasticity is carefully regulated. To date, studies attempting to alter impact synaptic plasticity have done so using pharmacological adjuncts that target extracellular contributions to plasticity. Here, we propose the first proof of principle study targeting intracellular regulation of plasticity by using a pharmacological adjunct targeting Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), a key regulator a cyclic AMP gradients in brain cells.

We will pair TMS with electromyography (EMG) to measure activity dependent changes in the motor cortex following rTMS to test the ability of a PDE4 inhibition to enhance synaptic plasticity after rTMS.

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Participation Requirements

  • Sex:

    ALL

  • Eligible Ages:

    18 to 60

Participation Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Healthy individuals (no chronic medical conditions).
2. Aged 18-60 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnancy
2. Lactation
3. Epilepsy
4. Previous stroke
5. Current Renal Disease
6. Current Liver Disease
7. Allergy to roflumilast or any of its non-medicinal ingredients
8. Current psychiatric concerns
9. Currently taking any medications with known serious interactions with roflumilast (abametapir, apalutamide, dabrafenifb, enzalutamide, fexinidazole, idelalisib, ivosidenib, lonadarnib, ritonavir, secobarbital, tucatinib, and voxelotor).Intracranial metallic objects (dental hardware is not an exclusionary criterion)
10. Substance use disorder
11. The inability to refrain from alcohol use for 24 hours prior to stimulation

Study Location

University of Calgary
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Contact Study Team

Primary Contact

Alexander McGirr, MD PhD

[email protected]
4032106410
Study Sponsored By
University of Calgary
Participants Required
More Information
Study ID: NCT06457191