Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on GABA Concentration and Brain Functional Connectivity in Older Adults

Charite University, Berlin, Germany1 site in 1 country24 target enrollmentApril 2016

ConditionsHealthy Older Adults

Overview

Phase: Not Applicable
Intervention: Not specified
Conditions: Healthy Older Adults
Sponsor: Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Enrollment: 24
Locations: 1
Primary Endpoint: GABA concentration assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) after anodal tDCS adjusted for baseline levels
Status: Completed
Last Updated: 9 years ago

Overview Investigators Eligibility Criteria Outcomes Sites Similar Trials

Overview

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to investigate whether anodal tDCS over the left M1 leads to a decrease of GABA concentration and alterations of functional brain connectivity in older people, compared to sham tDCS.

Registry

clinicaltrials.gov

Start Date

April 2016

End Date

August 2016

Last Updated

9 years ago

Study Type

Interventional

Study Design

Crossover

Sex

All

Investigators

Sponsor

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Responsible Party

Principal Investigator

Agnes Flöel

Prof.Dr.

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

•unobtrusive neuropsychological screening
•age: older adults of retirement age: ≥66 years

Exclusion Criteria

•Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or other neurological diseases.
•History of severe alcoholism or use of drugs.
•Severe psychiatric disorders such as depression, psychosis (if not in remission) and severe untreated medical problems.
•Contraindication for MRI (claustrophobia, metallic implants, ferromagnetic metals in the body, disorders of thermoregulation, pregnant women).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

GABA concentration assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) after anodal tDCS adjusted for baseline levels

Time Frame: assessed immediately before and after a 15-min stimulation time

Investigation whether anodal tDCS leads to a significant reduction of M1-GABA concentration in older adults compared to sham stimulation.

Secondary Outcomes

Genotyping of learning related polymorphisms(assessed during baseline screening)
Resting-state functional connectivity changes(assessed during a 15-min stimulation time)
GABA concentration assessed by MRS before and after cathodal tDCS adjusted for baseline levels(assessed immediately before and after a 15-min stimulation time)