Schizophrenia
Conditions
Brief summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation which uses a very weak constant current to temporarily excite the brain area of interest via small electrodes placed on the scalp. Currently, tDCS is being used as a tool to investigate mental processes (cognition) and motor function (movement) in healthy controls and to treat neurological (i.e. stroke) and psychiatric (i.e. depression and dementia) patients. tDCS has been found to improve motor processes and cognitive performance, including attention and memory functions. This study will attempt to examine the effects of tDCS on a specific aspect of short term memory to sounds measured from electrical activity (EEG) from the top of the scalp. This study will also assess the effect of a drug, dextromethorphan (DMO), commonly found in cough syrup, which is thought to regulate tDCS treatment through brain receptors. The study involves four laboratory test sessions. EEG assessments will be done in two sessions involving 'anodal' tDCS stimulation (to temporarily excite cortical activity locally), one session with DMO treatment and one with placebo treatment, and two sessions involving 'sham' tDCS stimulation (device is turned off), with the same DMO and placebo treatments. These findings will contribute to our understanding of the brain chemistry involved in tDCS treatment and its effects on cognitive abilities.
Interventions
Comparison between active Direct Current Stimulation (2 mA, 20 minutes) and Sham stimulation (the device is set up, but only turned on for 30 seconds). Conductive saline-soaked rubber electrodes super-imposed on sponge plates will be placed on the scalp overlying the left auditory cortex (anodal electrode) and on the contralateral forehead above the orbit (reference/cathode). Stimulation will be applied using a battery-driven constant-current regulator (Oasis Pro, Edmonton). In active tDCS sessions, the DC current will be initially increased in a ramp-like fashion over 10 s until reaching 2 mA and will be similarly decreased at the end of stimulation. In active tDCS, stimulation will be maintained for a total of 20 minutes. This will occur in two separate sessions, occurring within weeks. For 'sham' stimulation, the device will only be turned on for 30 seconds. This will occur in two separate sessions, occurring within weeks.
DRUGDextromethorphan
Comparison between Dextromethorphan and a no-sugar placebo. Dextromethorphan (DMO), a non-competitive NMDA antagonist, will be delivered in the form of generic Life Brand Clear Cough Syrup DM (Trillium Healthcare Products Inc, Brockville, ON), which has high dose of DMO (15 mg/5 ml) with no other major additives. Each subject will receive a dose of 50 ml DM with no-sugar cranberry juice (100 ml) to drink from a mug, while wearing a nose plug. This same dose will be delivered in two separate sessions, occurring within weeks. Each subject will receive a dose of a placebo (150 ml of no-sugar cranberry juice) to drink from a mug, while wearing a nose plug. This same dose will be delivered in two separate sessions, occurring within weeks.
Sponsors
University of Ottawa
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy, medication free * Non-smoker * Right-handed
Exclusion criteria
* Any current or past Axis I or Axis II disorder including a current or recent history of alcohol/substance abuse * A clinically significant medical illness or organic brain disorder known to cause psychosis or cognitive impairment * Any neurological diagnosis (including epilepsy) * Recent head trauma (\<6 months) * Metallic implants or any electrical device (e.g., pacemaker) in the body * Major learning disability * Body mass index \>38kg/m¬2 * Use of illicit drugs * Abnormal hearing
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MMN ERP amplitudes as a measure of sensory processing changes | 1 year | Acute effects of DMO (vs. placebo) and tDCS (vs. sham) on MMN-indexed auditory sensory memory processing |
| Adverse Events Scores as measure of treatment side effects | 1 year | Adverse Events and self-reported symptoms after treatment |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
Primary ContactVerner Knott, Ph.D.
Backup ContactDanielle Impey, Ph.D. (cand.)
Outcome results
None listed