The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Visual Attention - a Combined MRI and Non-invasive Brain Stimulation Single Session Study
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Healthy Aging
- Sponsor
- Masaryk University
- Enrollment
- 50
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Visual-attention task accuracy
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 5 years ago
Overview
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.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
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
- •any diagnosed psychiatric disorder
- •alcohol/drug abuse
- •lack of cooperation
- •presence of cognitive impairment
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Visual-attention task accuracy
Time Frame: 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
Time Frame: 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.