The Effect of Repeated Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Antisocial and Aggressive Behavior

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Antisocial Behavior; Aggression

• Registration Number: NCT02674516
• Lead Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania

Brief Summary

This study investigates the relationship between prefrontal cortex activity and antisocial and aggressive behavior, and risk factors for such behavior. In the double-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants will undergo three sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or sham stimulation and complete survey and laboratory measures assessing antisocial behavior and risk factors. Heart rate and skin conductance will also be measured.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-01
• Study First Submitted: 2016-01-26
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-02-03
• Study First Posted: 2016-02-04
• Primary Completion: 2020-06
• Study Completion: 2021-06
• Results First Submitted: 2021-08-18
• Status Verified: 2022-01
• Results First Submitted QC: 2022-01-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-01-07
• Results First Posted: 2022-01-18
• Last Update Posted: 2022-01-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

Inclusion Criteria

• Above 18 years of age
• Able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Currently consuming anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, or sedative/hypnotic medications
• Currently consuming anti-depressants
• History of seizures
• Metallic implants on the scalp
• Participation in other transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or tDCS experiments on the same day
• History of adverse reactions to tDCS

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Pins Inserted Into a Virtual Voodoo Doll After 48 Hours	On average, 48 hours after the first 20-minute tDCS or sham session ends	The number of pins (between 0 and 51) that participants decide to insert into a picture of a voodoo doll on a computer that represents either a romantic partner or close friend will be recorded.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pennsylvania; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States