Cognitive Change
Conditions
Keywords
transcranial direct current stimulation, cognitive psychology, noninvasive brain stimulation, electrical brain stimulation
Brief summary
This study investigates the perceptual and cognitive influences of low-intensity electrical brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation; tDCS), versus control (sham) conditions.
Interventions
OTHERStimulation via Soterix Medical or Neuroelectrics noninvasive brain stimulation systems
Active (at or below 2mA) versus sham (at or below 0.5mA) stimulation targeting brain regions engaged during verbal and/or spatial perceptual and cognitive processing. Brain stimulation devices are not currently regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Local IRB has determined the devices to be non-significant risk (NSR) devices via abbreviated investigational device exemption (IDE) procedure.
Sponsors
Tufts University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
Repeated-measures crossover design.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
\- Between ages of 18-65.
Exclusion criteria
* History of adverse reaction to tDCS (trans-cranial direct current stimulation). * History of seizure activity. * History of head injury (including neurosurgery). * History of illness causing brain injury. * History of other brain-related condition (such as traumatic brain injury). * History of diagnosis with a neurological or psychiatric disorder. * History of metal in head (outside of mouth), such as shrapnel, surgical clips, or fragments from welding or metalwork. * History of sensitive scalp.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Visual perceptual performance | 36 weeks | Ability to accurately and efficiently perceive perceptual information, including threat detection, local contrast gradient detection, face memory, and intent appraisal. All are computerized tasks. |
| Verbal cognitive performance | 36 weeks | Ability to accurately and efficiently process verbal information, including verbal cued free association tasks, verbal long-term memory, and language comprehension. All are computerized tasks. |
| Spatial cognitive performance | 72 weeks | Ability to accurately and efficiently process spatial information, including map learning, virtual urban navigation, and mental rotation. All are computerized tasks. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed