Neurobehavioural consequences of repetitive prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pathological aggression (Subproject B01 of the TRR379)

Neurobehavioural consequences of repetitive prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on pathological aggression (Subproject B01 of the TRR379) - B01

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00035713

Enrollment

156

Registered

2024-12-17

Start date

2025-05-21

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-02

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

Conditions

Violent offenders, patients with mental disorders, and drug use problems

Interventions

Group 1: Active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The participants undergo a 20-minute anodal tDCS (1.5mA) over the right DLP

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

Male

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Gender: Male Minimum Age: 18 Maximum Age 40 Right-handedness Offenders: Conviction for at least one violent crime Patients with mental disorder: Substance use

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Acute or chronic neurological disorders MRI contraindications tDCS contraindications Healthy controls: Acute or chronic psychiatric disorders and conviction for violent crimes

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The primary aim of this study is to investigate the functioning of the cognitive system (CS) and aggressive behavior in violent offenders, patients with mental disorders and substance abuse issues, and healthy control subjects. It also examines the effects of repetitive tDCS on aggression and behavioral control. Specifically, the study explores whether multiple sessions of prefrontal anodal tDCS during a cognitive control task influence two subconstructs of cognitive control – response selection and inhibition/suppression – at both the behavioral and neural levels. Furthermore, it evaluates whether this intervention impacts aggression in criminal violent offenders, individuals with substance abuse problems, and healthy controls.	—

Measure

Time frame

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the functioning of the cognitive system (CS) and aggressive behavior in violent offenders, patients with mental disorders and substance abuse issues, and healthy control subjects. It also examines the effects of repetitive tDCS on aggression and behavioral control. Specifically, the study explores whether multiple sessions of prefrontal anodal tDCS during a cognitive control task influence two subconstructs of cognitive control – response selection and inhibition/suppression – at both the behavioral and neural levels. Furthermore, it evaluates whether this intervention impacts aggression in criminal violent offenders, individuals with substance abuse problems, and healthy controls.

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Additionally, the study examines whether genetic, sociodemographic and environmental factors influence aggression and behavioural control. Individual electric fields are also calculated to clarify their role in the inter-individual variability of tDCS effects. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of genetic factors, in the form of polygenic risk scores (PRS), on aggressive behavior and the effects of tDCS on this behavior.	—

Measure

Time frame

Additionally, the study examines whether genetic, sociodemographic and environmental factors influence aggression and behavioural control. Individual electric fields are also calculated to clarify their role in the inter-individual variability of tDCS effects. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of genetic factors, in the form of polygenic risk scores (PRS), on aggressive behavior and the effects of tDCS on this behavior.

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Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactLuca Lasogga

RWTH Universitätsklinikum Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30

llasogga@ukaachen.de+49 241 8037878

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026