---
title: Characterization of Gastric Evoked Potentials
nct_id: NCT05924009
overall_status: RECRUITING
phase: NA
sponsor: University of Pittsburgh
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Healthy
countries: United States
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT05924009.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05924009"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2026-01-07
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T07:23:37.813Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Characterization of Gastric Evoked Potentials

**NCT ID:** [NCT05924009](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05924009)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** RECRUITING
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 155
- **Lead Sponsor:** University of Pittsburgh
- **Collaborators:** National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- **Conditions:** Healthy
- **Start Date:** 2023-06-17
- **Completion Date:** 2026-12
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2026-01-07

## Brief Summary

This is an exploratory study that will determine and standardize how best to record gastric evoked potentials (GEPs) elicited by a non-invasive method of brain stimulation (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS), by optimizing the TMS parameters and cortical sites necessary to evoke GEPs.

## Detailed Description

The overall goal of this exploratory study is to determine the optimal conditions to elicit gastric evoked potentials (GEPs) with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

Aim 1: Determine the optimal stimulation parameters and the optimal location for eliciting GEPs in cortical motor areas.

Aim 2: Determine whether various modes of repetitive TMS (rTMS) neuromodulation targeted to GEP hotspots shape gastric motor responses to a water load.

The investigators will record some clinical, demographic, and autonomic data (i.e. EKG) in our enrolled subjects. Secondary analyses will use these variables as covariates to investigate any systematic impact on the measures from Aims 1 and 2.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 21 Years
- **Maximum age:** 60 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes

```
Inclusion Criteria:

\-

Exclusion Criteria:

* psychosis or altered cognitive status
* history of head injury, metal in the skull, stroke, or a history of seizures, loss of consciousness or syncope
* implantable devices, such as a pacemaker or nerve stimulator
* current use of antiepileptic medications or current use of the following medications or substances which are known to lower the seizure threshold: Clozapine (Clozaril), Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), amphetamines or methamphetamine, Ecstasy, Ketamine, Angel Dust/PCP, cocaine, or 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day
* pregnancy
* BMI \> 30
* history of bariatric surgery such as sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
* diabetes
* suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder.
```

## Arms

- **All participants** (EXPERIMENTAL) — All participants

## Interventions

- **Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS** (PROCEDURE) — The best location for evoking an electromyographic (EMG) response of the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle in the dominant hand and the minimum stimulation intensity required to evoke a certain EMG response amplitude (Motor Threshold, MT) are used as reference to determine the best location and stimulation parameters to evoke GEPs.

After identification of the GEP hot-spot, a water load test is administered to determine whether satiety shapes GEP responses.

In subsequent study visits, the water load test is preceded by application of neuromodulatory repetitive TMS (rTMS), targeted to the GEP hotspot.

## Primary Outcomes

- **Change in GEP hotspot location** _(time frame: Multiple study sessions spanning up to 12 months)_ — Stimulation location evoking the largest GEP response, relative to FDI hotspot location
- **Change in optimal stimulation parameters at GEP hotspot** _(time frame: Multiple study sessions spanning up to 12 months)_ — Stimulation pattern (single pulses or brief bursts) and strength relative to MT for FDI

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Effect of satiety** _(time frame: Multiple study sessions spanning up to 12 months)_
- **Effect of neuromodulation** _(time frame: Multiple study sessions spanning up to 12 months)_

## Locations (1)

- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States — _RECRUITING_

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `sponsor.collaborators` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.university of pittsburgh medical center|pittsburgh|pennsylvania|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT05924009.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05924009*  
*This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*