Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Brain Connectivity and Corticospinal Excitability in Response to Moderate Hypoxia

France36 participantsStarted 2026-03-15

Plain-language summary

Hypoxia, defined as a reduction in the availability of oxygen, induces significant physiological adaptations. While the deleterious effects of severe and chronic hypoxia are well documented, several studies indicate that moderate hypoxia - particularly when administered intermittently - may produce beneficial effects on cardiometabolic health (e.g., improved regulation of blood pressure and better glycaemic control). However, its impact on the dynamics of brain circuits in humans remains relatively underexplored. The present project aims to characterise the effects of continuous and intermittent moderate hypoxia on resting-state brain dynamics in healthy adults. To this end, simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) recordings will be conducted in order to extract functional and haemodynamic markers of brain activity. This project will contribute to a better understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms associated with hypoxic conditioning and to the assessment of its potential application in innovative therapeutic approaches.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female aged 18 to 65 years * Healthy right- or left-handed individuals with no self-reported neurological disorders or history of neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy, stroke, brain or spinal surgery, or neurological diseases affecting motor or sensory function such as multiple sclerosis, or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's) * Individuals who have provided informed consent and have sufficient proficiency in French * Participants affiliated with, or beneficiaries of, a social security scheme Exclusion Criteria: * Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m² * Diagnosed and untreated obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome * Inability to provide informed consent * History of cardiac (e.g., ischaemic heart disease, heart failure) and/or respiratory disorders (e.g., COPD, chronic respiratory insufficiency, persistent or uncontrolled asthma) * Current smokers * Contraindications to TMS (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, intracranial metallic foreign body, hearing aid or cochlear implant, implanted stimulator or pump, scalp lesions, elevated intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid shunt) * Use of psychotropic medication * Individuals under legal guardianship or curatorship * Pregnant or breastfeeding women * Participants who have flown by air or travelled to terrestrial altitudes above 1500 metres within the seven days prior to inclusion

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Electrical brain activity

Timeframe: Assessed throughout the intervention, at Day 2, 3, and 4 of the protocol.

Haemodynamic activity

Timeframe: Assessed throughout the intervention, at Day 2, 3, and 4 of the protocol.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07516028

SponsorUniversite du Littoral Cote d'Opale

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-20

Contact for this trial

Ségolène M. R. Guérin, PhD

+33 3 74 00 82 13 segolene.guerin@univ-littoral.fr

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Normoxia trials