Healthy Young Adults
Conditions
Brief summary
The main objective of the proposed research is to extend our understanding of how gesture and language interact, focusing on the role of cognitive embodiment in this interaction, and to explore the neural systems that support links between language and actions systems.
Interventions
DEVICEtDCS
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
DEVICEsham-tDCS
sham stimulation
Sponsors
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Right handedness * unobtrusive neuropsychological screening
Exclusion criteria
* History of severe alcoholism or use of drugs. * Severe psychiatric disorders such as depression, psychosis (if not in remission) and severe untreated medical problems. * Contraindication for MRT (claustrophobia, metallic implants, ferromagnetic metals in the body, disorders of thermoregulation, pregnant women).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| response time in semantic decision task | assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of semantic decision task (last approximately 10 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks | Comparing response time in semantic decision task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from sham stimulation) |
| performance in attentional load task | assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of attentional load task (last approximately 6 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks | Attentional load task: Participants are presented with a 6 positions ring that includes different shapes, they have to press V when they see a square and N when they see a diamond. They will have to ignore any shapes other than square and diamond within the ring or distractors that appear outside the ring. Comparing performance in attentional load task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from sham stimulation) |
| performance in motor task | assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of motor task (last approximately 4 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks | Motor Task: Participants are presented with a red Box and they have to click a button each time they see it as fast as they can. Comparing performance in motor task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from sham stimulation) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Functional connectivity predictors | assessed during baseline testing | Connectivity as measured by resting-state fMRI during baseline as predictors for performance and tDCS responsiveness |
| Other cognitive outcomes: change in working memory performance | change in working memory performance from baseline after 30 min (approximately) | Digit span backward performance assessed before (baseline) and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on working memory |
| Other cognitive outcomes: change in Attention performance | change in attention performance from baseline after 30 min (approximately) | Digit span forward performance assessed before baseline) and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on attention |
Countries
Germany
Outcome results
None listed