Brain Stimulation, Executive Function, Motor Activity
Conditions
Brief summary
A promising form of enhancing brain function non-invasively involves stimulating the brain using weak magnetic or electric currents. This method is becoming increasingly popular in both clinical and commercial circles; a number of portable, at-home devices are available on the commercial market for personal use. In this study, the investigators aim to determine factors associated with the enhancement of cognitive and motor learning following transcranial direct-current stimulation in healthy young adults. Understanding how participants respond to brain stimulation is critical to maximizing the effectiveness of stimulation and determining its potential as a performance-enhancing aid for mental tasks. Future developments of this study may also inform the capacity of brain stimulation to act as non-drug alternative to treatment for cognitive decline.
Detailed description
This study involves a single session of anodal tDCS, applied over the motor cortex, while performing a task of motor dexterity. Pre and post stimulation evaluations will assess any effects of the stimulation on motor and cognitive performance.
Interventions
DEVICETranscranial Direct Current Stimulation
Non-invasive brain stimulation applied to the surface of the scalp
BEHAVIORALWorking Memory Training
Cognitively challenging game played concurrently with transcranial direct-current stimulation
Sponsors
Bruyère Health Research Institute.
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
FACTORIAL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Participants must be in good health, * between 18-35 years of age * with no prior history of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke with paralysis.
Exclusion criteria
* Participants with cardiac stimulators (pace-makers) and those with metal implants in the skull will be excluded. * Pregnant women will also be excluded. Participants will be required to fill out a brief health questionnaire to ensure that they have no conditions that would prevent brain stimulation.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in ratings on cognitive training survey | Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period | This survey aims to assess participant perceptions on brain stimulation, and includes a series of related questions, rated on a scale of 1-7. |
| Change in cognitive performance | Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period | We will measure changes in cognitive performance on neuropsychological tests. |
| Change in game performance | Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period | We will measure changes in performance on a cognitively-challenging game performed concurrently with the non-invasive brain stimulation. |
| Change in motor performance | Baseline, Post-test following 20-minute stimulation period | We will measure changes in motor performance on the Grooved Pegboard task. |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed