Role of theta brain stimulation on working memory performance

Causal role of parietal theta activity in working memory: An HD-tACS and EEG study comparing individualized vs. standardized theta stimulation - NIL

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

CTRI

Registry ID

CTRI/2026/04/108519

Enrollment

Registered

2026-04-16

Start date

Unknown

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-04-27

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Interventions

Intervention1: Real Standardized theta tACS protocol (Group 1), Real Individualized theta tACS protocol (Group 2).: Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions: one involving real HD-tACS

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Healthy participants 2. Age: between 19-40 years 3. Sex: Male participants 4. Right-handed (assessed using the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory) 5. Able to perform the required computer task 6. Written informed consent 7. Corrected visual acuity should be 6/6

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. History of psychiatric disorders 2. History of neurological diseases 3. History of substance abuse 4. History of chronic physical illness 5. Patients with metal implants 6. Patients with implanted electronic device

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
To evaluate the effects of theta frequency HD-tACS over left parietal region on working memory: WM storage capacity will be measured using span scores from the Corsi and Digit Span tasks. Executive function will be assessed using accuracy scores from the n-back task and visuospatial working memory task.Timepoint: Time points: Outcome will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and Day 0 (immediately after intervention). Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions: one involving real HD-tACS and the other sham stimulation in a counterbalanced, single-blind crossover design. 2 weeks interval will separate 2 sessions.	—

Measure

Time frame

To evaluate the effects of theta frequency HD-tACS over left parietal region on working memory: WM storage capacity will be measured using span scores from the Corsi and Digit Span tasks. Executive function will be assessed using accuracy scores from the n-back task and visuospatial working memory task.Timepoint: Time points: Outcome will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) and Day 0 (immediately after intervention). Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions: one involving real HD-tACS and the other sham stimulation in a counterbalanced, single-blind crossover design. 2 weeks interval will separate 2 sessions.

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Secondary outcome measures are functional brain connectivity & complex network measures - To investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying tACS-induced effects (Objective 3)Timepoint: Time points: Outcome will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) & Day 0 (immediately after intervention). Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions: one involving real HD-tACS & the other sham stimulation in a counterbalanced, single-blind crossover design. 2 weeks interval will separate 2 sessions.	—

Measure

Time frame

Secondary outcome measures are functional brain connectivity & complex network measures - To investigate the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying tACS-induced effects (Objective 3)Timepoint: Time points: Outcome will be assessed at baseline (pre-intervention) & Day 0 (immediately after intervention). Each participant will undergo two experimental sessions: one involving real HD-tACS & the other sham stimulation in a counterbalanced, single-blind crossover design. 2 weeks interval will separate 2 sessions.

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Countries

India

Contacts

Public ContactSuriya Prakash Muthukrishnan

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

dr.suriyaprakash@aiims.edu9650812987

Outcome results