Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will examine the possible effects of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) treatment to the left DLPFC on cognitive functions which were found to be deficient amongst ADHD patients. The study will include 100 subjects, 50 of whom diagnosed with ADHD. Subjects will complete the ASRS questionnaire to measure ADHD symptoms severity. Next, subjects will complete a series of cognitive tasks, after which they will receive either tDCS treatment or a sham treatment. Finally, subjects will repeat the cognitive tasks. Later that day, a telephonic follow up will take place. ADHD symptoms will be assessed again the next day.
Interventions
DEVICETranscranial Direct Current Stimulation
To stimulate the left DLPFC, the anode electrode will be placed over F3 and the cathode will be placed over F4. Each stimulation will be applied for 20 min at 2mA intensity.
DEVICESham
For the sham treatment, stimulation will be stopped after 30 seconds. Current will be renewed five times throughout the session for 2 seconds each time, to mimic the tDCS stimulation.
Sponsors
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Participation criteria for healthy participants 1. Right hand dominance. 2. No psychiatric nor neural diagnosis. 3. Participants must be able to comprehend the study's procedure and sign an informed consent. Participation criteria for ADHD diagnosed participants 1. ADHD diagnosis (according to DSM V). 2. Right hand dominance. 3. Participants must be able to comprehend the study's procedure and sign an informed consent. 4. Participants who regularly use Methylphenidate will be required to avoid the medication for 24 hours prior to study and 12 hours post study. \-
Exclusion criteria
* a. Other psychiatric diagnoses (additional to ADHD). b. Drug use (excluding Methylphenidate). c. Neurological disorders. d. Pacemaker, Insulin pump
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Navon task | through study completion, up to 1 hour after treatment | change in accuracy, shorter RT's |
| N-back | through study completion | change in working memory: increase in hit rate |
| Stroop | through study completion, up to 1 hour after treatment | change in interference control: smaller interference effect |
| Stop-signal | through study completion, up to 1 hour after treatment | change in response inhibition: shorter SSRT |
| Time Reproduction task | through study completion, up to 1 hour after treatment | change in time perception: increased accuracy |
| Continuous Performance Task | through study completion, up to 1 hour after treatment | change in continuous concentration: increase in accuracy |
Countries
Israel
Outcome results
None listed