Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Executive Function
Brief summary
This study aims to determine the transient, modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive function and inhibitory control in patients with ADHD compared to healthy controls.
Detailed description
This study aims to determine the transient, modulatory effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on executive function and inhibitory control in patients with ADHD. Deficits in these cognitive functions are core to ADHD, and cause significant impairment and morbidity. The study will also include a cohort of healthy controls for comparison.
Interventions
DEVICETranscranial Direct Current Stimulation
In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
Sponsors
Massachusetts General Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 66 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Male and female subjects 18-66 years of age 2. Healthy volunteers or volunteers with a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood, meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) \[American Psychiatric Association, 2013\] criteria, including at least 5 moderate inattentive or impulsive-hyperactive symptoms, and onset of two symptoms of inattentive or of impulsive/hyperactive traits by the age of 12. 3. Patient will be either off stimulant medications or, if undergoing treatment with stimulants, will be asked to discontinue two days prior to the experiment, under physician-guided protocol, and allowed to resume afterwards. Subjects may resume stimulant use between the two study visits so long as they discontinue use two days prior to the second study visit. If fatigue is problematic in subjects discontinuing medication, they will be allowed to continue with the study if they are able to follow the suggested taper plan (50% of the dose day one, 25% dose day 2, stop day of visit (day 3)). 4. English-speaking
Exclusion criteria
1. Current or past history of clinically unstable psychiatric conditions such as suicidal or homicidal behavior or psychotic disorders. 2. Pregnant or nursing females. 3. Inability to participate in testing procedures 4. Contraindication to tDCS: history or epilepsy, metallic implants in the head and neck, brain stimulators, vagus nerve stimulators, VP shunt, pacemakers, pregnancy. 5. Additional
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Accuracy and Reaction Time in Attention and Working Memory | Change Before and After Stimulation on Each of the Three Visits, Average 2-6 Weeks | N-Back Task |
| Change in Accuracy and Reaction Time in Inhibition/Decision Making | Change Before and After Stimulation on Each of the Three Visits, Average 2-6 Weeks | Delayed Discounting |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amplitude of Encephalogram (EEG) Event Related Potentials | Change Before and After Stimulation on Each of the Three Visits, Average 2-6 Weeks | Measure of amplitude related to stimulus |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed