None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
There is growing scientific evidence of the clinical efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in treating a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions. Although the exact mechanism of action underlying tDCS remains to be fully elucidated, its ability to promote lasting neuroplastic changes within the brain appears central to its therapeutic effects. tDCS involves the application of a very weak electrical current to the scalp, which acts to modulate the excitability of underlying cortical neurons, thereby altering their function. Importantly, tDCS is both safe and painless, and can induce changes in brain function which are measurable up to an hour after the cessation of stimulation. In order for tDCS to be optimally utilised, however, research which directly compares the different stimulation methods available is greatly needed. This project specifically aims to compare two methods of administering tDCS to a region of the brain known as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, an important area for cognitive processing. The first is a conventional method, which applies the stimulus to the head using two large sponge electrodes, while the second method, which has been more recently developed, is referred to as high definition tDCS (HD-tDCS) and uses several smaller electrodes to deliver the stimulation to a more confined region of the brain. It is currently unclear which of these two methods of stimulation is the most efficacious. Therefore, the aim of this study is to directly compare, using both behavioural and neurophysiological outcome measures, the effect that each of these stimulation methods has on brain neuroplasticity.
Interventions
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) provides a non-invasive means of altering the excitability of cortical neurons, through the application of a weak electric current applied to the scalp.
This study employs a randomised, crossover design where participants take part in three separate treatment sessions at least 72 hours apart. Each session involves administration of either active tDCS (either conventional or 'high-definition' tDCS [HD-tDCS]), or sham tDCS. Conventional tDCS involve
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) provides a non-invasive means of altering the excitability of cortical neurons, through the application of a weak electric current applied to the scalp. This study employs a randomised, crossover design where participants take part in three separate treatment sessions at least 72 hours apart. Each session involves administration of either active tDCS (either conventional or 'high-definition' tDCS [HD-tDCS]), or sham tDCS. Conventional tDCS involves the use of sponge electrodes placed in a bipolar array (anode over left prefrontal cortex, cathode over contralateral supraorbital area); HD-tDCS uses five smaller electrodes placed over the left prefrontal cortex in a 4x1 ring configuration in which a central anodal electrode is surrounded by four cathodes. Specifically, participants will receive: a) Anodal conventional tDCS (2 mA, 20 minutes) b) Anodal HD-tDCS (2 mA, 20 minutes) c) Sham tDCS (20 minutes)
Sponsors
Monash Univeristy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1) Right-handed adults who have the capacity to provide informed consent. 2) Have no personal history of psychiatric or neurological illness.
Exclusion criteria
1) Anyone suffering from an unstable medical condition, neurological or psychiatric disorder or any history of a seizure disorder or who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding. 2) Anyone with any metallic implants in the head, a pacemaker, cochlear implant medication pump or other electronic device. 3) Anyone currently taking any psychoactive medications. 4) Professional drivers are not able to participate due to the, albeit relatively low, risk of seizure as this could affect their employment.
Outcome results
None listed