None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this project is to explore whether cognitive control training can help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression. Depression is associated with changes in both emotions and cognition (i.e. thinking skills). Research has shown that the emotional and cognitive symptoms of depression interact with each other, and these interactions can contribute to the severity and length of depressive episodes. Examples of these interactions include preferential memory for negative memories and paying greater attention to negative thoughts or negative environmental stimuli. We are interested in whether targeting the cognitive symptoms of depression may also help to improve the emotional symptoms. We are exploring this using cognitive control training (CCT). CCT involves practicing a thinking activity that has been designed to improve attentional processing. The type of attention that CCT is designed to improve is subsumed by activity in a frontal area of the brain called the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Research has shown that a mild form of brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to this brain region can enhance cognitive processing. tDCS involves the application of gentle electrical currents to the scalp though electrodes, and can increase activity in various parts of the brain, depending on where it is applied. We are also interested in whether tDCS may be a useful means of augmenting CCT in depression.
Interventions
This study is trialling a new behavioural therapy called Cognitive Control Training (CCT). CCT involves repeated practice of targeted cognitive activities that are specifically designed to activate areas of the brain that allow us to control and direct our attention. This study is additionally investigating whether the effectiveness of CCT can be further enhanced using a form of mild brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a safe, non-invasive, painless
This study is trialling a new behavioural therapy called Cognitive Control Training (CCT). CCT involves repeated practice of targeted cognitive activities that are specifically designed to activate areas of the brain that allow us to control and direct our attention. This study is additionally investigating whether the effectiveness of CCT can be further enhanced using a form of mild brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a safe, non-invasive, painless technique which has the capacity to temporarily alter cortical excitability. In this study it is delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Participants will be randomised to one of the following four conditions and receive a 25 minute intervention session on fifteen consecutive week days: (a) 25-minutes of CCT and active tDCS (2 mA) (b) 25-minutes of CCT and sham tDCS (tDCS that we believe will have no effect) (c) 25-minutes of a different cognitive training and active tDCS (2 mA) (d) 25-minutes of a different cognitive training and sham tDCS Stimulation and cognitive training are administered simultaneously. They will be administered by a trained research staff member. Participants will not be informed which condition they have been allocated to until the end of the study.
Sponsors
Alfred Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Factorial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Are voluntary and able to provide full informed consent, 2. Are currently in the midst of a Major Depressive Episode as confirmed by structured diagnostic interview with the Mini-International Interview for DSM-IV, 3. Are between the ages of 18 and 65 years.
Exclusion criteria
1. Have a DSM-IV history of substance abuse or dependence in the last 6-months, 2. Have a concomitant major and/or unstable medical or neurologic illness; 3. Are currently taking carbamazepine or benzodiazepines, 4. Are currently pregnant or lactating, 5. Have metal anywhere in the head, except the mouth. This includes metallic objects such as screws and clips from surgical procedures
Outcome results
None listed