None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
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. tDCS is both safe and painless, and can induce changes in brain function which are measurable for over an hour after the cessation of stimulation. In order for tDCS to be optimally utilised, however, research which directly compares different stimulation parameters is greatly needed. To date, several studies have demonstrated the capacity for tDCS to enhance performance during working memory (WM) tasks when it is applied over prefrontal brain regions (e.g., DLPFC). However, despite encouraging initial results, tDCS has thus far only been able to produce modest levels of cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals. One way of potentially improving the effectiveness of this technique would be to apply it concurrently over a combination of brain regions known to be involved in WM. Therefore, this project specifically aims to compare the effects of tDCS delivered over either the left DLPFC alone, or the left DLPFC in combination with the left parietal lobe. Simultaneous stimulation of prefrontal and parietal brain regions will be achieved using a multifocal ‘high-definition’ stimulation montage which allows for accurate stimulation of two independent cortical targets. The parietal brain region was chosen as the additional stimulation site due to its known involvement in WM. Both behavioural (WM performance) and neurophysiological (EEG, TMS-EEG) data will be utilised to assess the effectiveness of this technique.
Interventions
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, non-invasive, painless technique which has the capacity to temporarily alter cortical excitability and has been shown to improve working memory performance. In this study it is delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and Parietal cortex.
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 eith
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, non-invasive, painless technique which has the capacity to temporarily alter cortical excitability and has been shown to improve working memory performance. In this study it is delivered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and Parietal cortex. 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 over the DLPFC alone, or DLPFC and parietal cortex), or sham tDCS. Specifically, participants will receive: a) Anodal tDCS over the left DLPFC (1.5 mA, 15 minutes) b) Anodal tDCS over the DLPFC and bilateral parietal cortices (1.5 mA, 15 minutes) c) Sham tDCS either over the DLPFC or DLPFC and bilateral parietal cortices (counterbalanced, 15 minutes)
Sponsors
Monash University
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