Anxiety

Modulating Escape Using Focused Ultrasound

Recruiting · Charleston, South Carolina

Always free

Study care at no cost to you

For your time and travel

Many studies pay you back

Most need no insurance or papers

Legal status usually isn't required; we'll tell you each study's requirements

Interpreters available

Ask for your language

Your choice

Voluntary — you can stop anytime

What is this study?

It is , overseen by an independent and licensed medical staff.

Read the full clinical description

This is a study to find out if a cutting-edge technology called transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) can be used to treat how people with anxiety or related concerns cope with emotional situations. tFUS is a brain stimulation technology that causes temporary changes in the activity of deep brain areas without a need for any surgery or other permanent or invasive procedures. This study is recruiting participants who recently started treatment for anxiety or a related concern to come in for 3 visits at the Medical University of South Carolina. At the first visit, participants will do interviews and surveys asking about anxiety and related concerns, and they do tasks where they respond to emotional pictures while brain activity is measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At the next two visits, participants again do a task where they see and react to emotional images, and this time the task is done once before and again once after receiving tFUS that either actively causes temporary changes (lasting for about an hour) in a targeted brain area or is not active (no changes elicited). At each tFUS visit, responses are measured with sensors worn on the hand, arms, face, and head (these visits do not involve MRI). Each visit in this study is expected to last between 2 - 3 hours. This study is not a treatment study, but it could help improve treatment in the future. Participants in this study are paid for their time.

Who this study is looking for

In plain language, from the study's own rules. The study team confirms the full details with you — this isn't a final yes or no.

✅ You may be able to join if…

•Age 18–65
•Have an anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, or specific phobia), or posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or current adjustment disorder with anxiety
•Are currently seeking mental health treatment
•Can read and sign the consent form (informed consent)
•English is your first or primary fluent language

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

•Alcohol or substance use disorder that is more than mild severity
•A lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorder or bipolar mania
•A seizure disorder, or medical problems that would make brain stimulation or brain recording unsafe
•A lifetime history of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness
•Currently pregnant

Are you a good fit?

Simplified highlights. The study team always confirms the full details with you.

✓Adults roughly 18–65
✓Have Anxiety

!Some conditions may not be a fit: Dementia / Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease
!Not for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding

What to expect, step by step

1
Usually a few weeks
The study team checks whether the study is a good fit for you, with a visit and sometimes lab tests. You can ask any questions before deciding.
2
Treatment
If you join and choose to continue, you receive the study treatment and are watched closely by medical staff.
3
Follow-up
After treatment, the team checks on your health and confirms the visit schedule with you. You can leave the study at any point.

Has this treatment been tested before?

The study team can share what safety testing has been done so far.

What you need to know before you apply

What is this study testing?+

Is it safe? Who makes sure of that?+

This is a research study. Every study is reviewed and monitored by an independent ethics board (called an IRB) whose job is to protect participants, and care is overseen by licensed medical staff. You'll be told the known risks before you agree to anything, and you can stop at any time.

Will I get a placebo instead of the real treatment?+

Some studies compare a treatment against a placebo (an inactive version), and some don't. If this one does, the study team will explain your chances of receiving the active treatment before you decide. Nothing is hidden from you.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications?+

It depends on the study. Some let you stay on your current medications and some ask you to adjust them. Never stop a medication on your own — the study team will review everything with you first.

Does it cost anything? Will I be paid?+

Study-related care is provided at no cost to you. Some studies also pay for your time; the coordinator can tell you if this one does. You should never be asked to pay to take part.

Do I need insurance? Will anyone ask about my immigration status?+

No. You do not need health insurance to take part in a research study, and you will not be asked about your immigration status to join. Taking part is about whether you're a medical fit for the study.

What if English isn't my first language?+

You have the right to understand everything before you agree. Study sites can often provide materials or an interpreter in your language — you can ask the coordinator for one.

Is my information private?+

Yes. Your health information is only shared with the study sites you choose to be contacted by, and only to help match and enroll you. It is never sold, and you can ask us to delete it at any time.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06273904 · Locations: South Carolina