None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
tDCS has been shown to have a positive effect on cognition in older adults. However, to date, there has been very limited investigation of the effects of repeated sessions of tDCS on age related cognitive decline. The current research will investigate the effects of repeated sessions of tDCS on cognition in healthy older adults. These investigations are critical in order to establish the potential of this approach to reduce symptoms of cognitive decline, or even to delay further progression. In addition, an understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms of how tDCS may work to ameliorate brain activity underlying cognitive decline is lacking and needed in order to appropriately assess the relevance of this technique to this population.
Interventions
tDCS involves the application of a very weak electrical current applied using two surface electrodes (anode and cathode) to the scalp. tDCS has been shown to alter the excitability of brain cells by shifting their membrane potentials in a de- or hyperpolarising direction; thus making the brain cells more or less likely to fire. Stimulation of brain cells under the anode appears to increase brain activity whereas stimulation under the cathode generally has the opposite effect. Stimulation will b
tDCS involves the application of a very weak electrical current applied using two surface electrodes (anode and cathode) to the scalp. tDCS has been shown to alter the excitability of brain cells by shifting their membrane potentials in a de- or hyperpolarising direction; thus making the brain cells more or less likely to fire. Stimulation of brain cells under the anode appears to increase brain activity whereas stimulation under the cathode generally has the opposite effect. Stimulation will be delivered using the StarStim system which allows for programming of active and sham tDCS. Active tDCS will be delivered using standard EEG size electrodes placed within the Starstim system cap. The anode, or activating, electrode will be placed over F3 according to the 10-20 international system for EEG placement, which has been determined to be an accurate estimate of the left DLPFC. The cathodal, or reference, electrode will be placed over the right supraorbital space. Stimulation will be applied at 0.0057 ma/cm for 20mins. Each 20 minute stimulation will be separated by an hour break and a total of sixteen stimulation sessions will be completed within a 2 week period (Monday to Friday). Participants will receive a maximum of two 20 minute stimulation sessions within 24 hours. A/Prof Kate Hoy determines the scheduling of the sessions over the two week period according to her experience and expertise developed through 13 years of co-ordinating brain stimulation clinical trails of this nature.
Sponsors
A/Prof Kate Hoy
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
65 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- competent to consent based on their ability to provide a spontaneous narrative description of the key elements of the study, as assessed by a clinical staff member independent of the research project
Exclusion criteria
- have a DSM-IV history of substance abuse or dependence in the last 6 months - have a concomitant major and unstable medical, psychiatric or neurological illness - are pregnant - are currently taking medications shown to interfere with the effects of tDCS; namely benzodiazepines - are professional drivers - have any contraindications to brain stimulation ass assessed using the TMS/tDCS safety screen
Outcome results
None listed