tDCS Applied to the OFC: Effects on Decision-Making and Impulse Control

Modulating Decision-Making and Impulse Control With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Over the Orbitofrontal Cortex (OFC): A Randomized and Sham-Controlled Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01805401

Enrollment

Registered

2013-03-06

Start date

2013-01-31

Completion date

2014-03-31

Last updated

2014-10-06

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

Conditions

Impulsive Behavior, Suicidal Impulses

Keywords

Decision-making, Impulse control, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Brain stimulation, Neuromodulation, tDCS, Iowa Gambling Task, Stroop Word-Color Task

Brief summary

In this study the investigators aim to assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; a safe and non-invasive method for modulating the activity of specific brain regions) when applied over the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is able to modulate decision-making and impulse control in healthy participants.

Detailed description

In this single-blind, three-arm and sham-controlled study, we will assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; a safe and non-invasive method for modulating the activity of specific brain regions) when applied over the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is able to modulate decision-making and impulse control in healthy volunteers. We hypothesize that tDCS applied to the OFC, in comparison to sham tDCS, will significantly enhance decision-making and impulse control. For this study we will enroll 45 healthy individuals aged 18-60 years. These individuals will be assessed with a battery of computerized tasks as well as clinician-administered and self-reported questionnaires on depression and anxiety. Assessments will be carried out before and after a single 30-minute tDCS session.

Interventions

DEVICETranscranial Direct Current Stimulation

Anode placed over the OFC or the DLPFC and cathode placed over the occipital region

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 60 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Men or women aged 18 to 60 years

Exclusion criteria

* Presence any psychiatric and/or neurological illness * Psychoactive substance abuse/dependence in the past 6 months * Current use of medication(s) that might influence cognition and/or affective status * Presence of an uncontrolled medical disease (e.g., cardiovascular, renal) * Pregnancy and/or lactation * Specific contraindication for tDCS (e.g., metallic head implant).

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Change in the net score of the Iowa Gambling Task	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Change in the average-adjusted number of pumps in the Balloon Analog Risk Task	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session
Change in the number of risky choices in the Game of Dice Task	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session
Change in the number of commission errors in the Continuous Performance Task	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session
Change in the interference index in the Stroop Color-Word Test	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session
Change in the stop-signal reaction time in the Stop-Signal Task	Before and after a 30-minute tDCS session

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026