Active, not recruitingNCT05946616MEM_MODUpdated Sep 15, 2026

Spectral Characteristics of Memory Transformation

An interventional study of Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention and Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention in Healthy, sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-15.

Sponsored by Medical University of South Carolina · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science

Phase: Not applicable
Study type: Interventional
Enrollment: 30
Allocation: Randomized
Ages: 18 Years and older
Sex: All

Study summary

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 pilot study, the brain mechanisms that control the change of pre-existing stable memories of a motor skill will be tested with electroencephalography (EEG). Non-invasive brain stimulation will be used 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.

Conditions studied

Healthy

In context

Lead sponsor

Medical University of South Carolina is the lead sponsor of 852 studies on the registry; 165 are open to participants now.

Of its 128 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 101 (79%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

Who can participate

Ages eligible: 18 Years and older
Sexes eligible: All
Accepts healthy volunteers: Yes

Inclusion criteria

Age 18 years or older (2/3 of the final sample will be ≥60years of age)
No previous stroke, brain tumor, neurodegenerative disease, or trauma to the head
Ability to give consent for study participation
who have access to a personal computer with internet

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnancy
  - Inability to use all ten fingers to type on a standard computer keyboard
  - Uncorrected vision, hindering perception of visual cues presented on a standard computer screen
  - Medication use at the time of study that may interfere with learning or the effect of tACS, including but not limited to carbamazepine, flunarizine, sulpiride, rivastigmine, dextromethorphan;
  - Neuromuscular disorders affecting hand and finger movements necessary for 10-finger keyboard typing
  - Presence of neurological or psychiatric disorders
  - Presence of scalp injury or disease
  - Prior history of seizures
  - Prior intracranial surgery
  - Prior brain radiotherapy
  - Prior history of intracranial tumor, intracranial infection, or cerebrovascular malformation
  - Metal in head or neck
  - Contraindications to MRI (such as severe claustrophobia, implanted medical devices)

Study design

Phase: Not applicable
Primary purpose: Basic science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Enrollment: 30 participants (estimated)

Study arms

Experimental
Active non-invasive brain stimulation during behavioral memory interference
Non-invasive brain stimulation with transcranial alternating current stimulation will be applied during a memory interference intervention.
Other: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention
Sham comparator
Sham stimulation during behavioral memory interference
Inactive (sham) stimulation will be applied during a memory interference intervention.
Other: Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention

Interventions

OtherTranscranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference).
OtherInactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention
Inactive (sham) stimulation combined with behavioral intervention (memory interference)

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

Behavioral: interference rate
Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill
Time frame: before - after one single intervention (1 hour)
Neural: brain connectivity change
Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity
Time frame: before - after one single intervention (1 hour)

Secondary outcomes

Behavioral: interference rate
Change in performance precision of a previously learned sensorimotor skill
Time frame: before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)
Neural: brain connectivity change
Change in EEG-derived markers of brain activation and connectivity
Time frame: before - after one single intervention (24 hour follow-up)

Study locations

1 site

Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina 29425, United States

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026

No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Sep 15, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Registry details

Key details

Study ID: NCT05946616
Lead sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
Responsible party: Kirstin-Friederike Heise (Assistant Professor-Faculty, Medical University of South Carolina) — Principal investigator
First posted: Jul 14, 2023
Start date: Jul 1, 2023
Primary completion: Dec 31, 2026 (estimated)
Completion: Dec 31, 2026 (estimated)
Last update: Sep 15, 2026

Study contacts

Kirstin-Friederike Heise, PhD

principal investigator · Medical University of South Carolina

Oversight

Data monitoring committee: Yes
FDA-regulated drug: No
FDA-regulated device: No

View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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