Plain-English translation of NCT06273904 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This study is testing a new technology called transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) to see if it can help reduce anxiety-driven escape and avoidance behaviors. Researchers want to understand whether this non-invasive brain stimulation technique can target deep brain areas that drive the urge to escape or avoid anxiety-triggering situations. The goal is to eventually use this treatment before standard therapy to help more people stick with treatment and get better results.
Current anxiety treatments don't always work for everyone — about 20% of people don't benefit at all, and 40% drop out before finishing. The researchers believe that escape and avoidance urges persist even when anxiety improves, and that deeper brain areas controlling these urges may not be reached by existing brain stimulation techniques. This study aims to develop a new approach that could target these deeper brain areas to improve treatment success.
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You would visit the research center for three sessions over a few days. During the first visit, you'll complete some anxiety-related tasks while undergoing a brain scan (MRI). On the next two separate days, you'll complete tasks before and after receiving either active ultrasound stimulation or a sham (non-active) stimulation — each lasting less than 10 minutes. The researchers will measure how the stimulation affects your responses to anxiety-triggering situations.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 2, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States