The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Visual Attention - Single Sessions

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy Aging; Cognitive Decline; Cognitive Change
• Interventions: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation

• Registration Number: NCT04134195
• Lead Sponsor: Masaryk University

Brief Summary

Recently, attention has been drawn to non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), in order to enhance cognitive functions by modifying brain plasticity and use it in different healthy and diseased populations. In the current research, investigator aim to examine the short-term effects of multiple tDCS protocols in healthy adults population on visual attention and identify the neural underpinnings of tDCS-induced behavioral aftereffects using a combined tDCS/ MRI network-based approach.

Detailed Description

Investigator will investigate the shor-term effects of active tDCS as compared to a placebo stimulation on visual attention in the healthy seniors. A cross-over, randomized, placebo-controlled design will be used. Single tDCS sessions will be performed in 4 sessions over distinct brain areas with ongoing visual attention training. During the stimulation, investigator will use the visual matching task. MRI protocol consisting of T1 and resting state fMRI sequences will be acquired before and after every stimulation session in order to search for active vs. placebo tDCS-induced changes in brain activation and resting state functional connectivity and to identify neural correlates of behavioral changes.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-10-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-10-18
• Study First Posted: 2019-10-22
• Study Start: 2020-02-19
• Primary Completion: 2020-03-30
• Status Verified: 2020-09
• Study Completion: 2020-12-30
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-02-23
• Last Update Posted: 2021-02-24

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• right handed, healthy volunteers in two groups - healthy adults under 40 years, healthy seniors over 50 years

Exclusion Criteria

• psychiatric disorders, including major depression, major vascular lesions, and other brain pathologies detected by MRI that might present with cognitive decline

  • a cardio pacemaker or any MRI-incompatible metal in the body
  • epilepsy
  • any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
  • alcohol/drug abuse
  • lack of cooperation
  • presence of cognitive impairment

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Real transcranial direct current stimulation	Transcranial direct current stimulation	Healthy adults and healthy seniors will undergo application of real transcranial direct current stimulation over two distinct brain areas.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation	Transcranial direct current stimulation	Healthy adults and healthy seniors will undergo application of sham transcranial direct current stimulation over two distinct brain areas.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Visual-attention task accuracy	Change from baseline immediately after completion of stimulation protocol	Task will be presented on a computer and subject will respond by YES-NO buttons. Only if there are no differences in task accuracy, we will measure task reaction times (e.g. due to the roof effect).
Magnetic resonance imaging	Change from baseline immediately after completion of stimulation protocol	Investigator will record high resolution structural T1-weighted (MPRAGE) images, functional T2\* weighted multiband EPI sequences. The total time spent in the scanner will be approximately 40 in every session.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ceitec, Masaryk University; 🇨🇿 Brno, Czechia