Traveling-wave Transcranial Electric Stimulation

Not Applicable

Active, not recruiting

• Conditions: Working Memory
• Interventions: Device: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)

• Registration Number: NCT05399381
• Lead Sponsor: University of Minnesota

Brief Summary

This study will assess the impact of traveling wave transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on working memory performance in adults.

Detailed Description

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can non-invasively alter neuroelectric activity in the brain by applying weak time-varying electric currents via the scalp. Complex patterns of electric brain activity can take the form of traveling waves - spatially coherent brain rhythms that gradually propagate through the neocortex. Traveling waves are crucial for the temporal coordination of informational flow in the brain. Using the novel traveling-wave transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) approach, the investigators will explore the effects of frontal-to-parietal and parietal-to-frontal traveling waves on working memory performance and brain electrophysiology in adults.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2022-04-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-05-26
• Study First Posted: 2022-06-01
• Study Start: 2022-09-05
• Status Verified: 2025-02
• Primary Completion: 2025-02-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-03
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-04
• Study Completion: 2026-02-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age between 18 and 45 years old.
2. Confident level of English language.

Exclusion Criteria

1. History or evidence of chronic neurological or mental disorder.
2. Metal or electric implant in the head, neck, or chest area.
3. History of head injuries with loss of consciousness.
4. Any acute or chronic medical condition that requires ongoing pharmacological treatment.
5. Pregnancy or breast-feeding.
6. Alcohol or drug addiction.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Frontoparietal Slow Theta Stimulation	Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)	Participants will receive multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal and parietal brain regions that induces frontal-to-parietal traveling wave at the frequency of 4 Hz with the intensity of up to 2 mA and duration up to 20 min.
Frontoparietal Fast Theta Stimulation	Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)	Participants will receive multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal and parietal brain regions that induces frontal-to-parietal traveling wave at the frequency of 7 Hz with the intensity of up to 2 mA and duration up to 20 min.
Parietofrontal Slow Theta Stimulation	Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)	Participants will receive multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal and parietal brain regions that induces parietal-to-frontal traveling wave at the frequency of 4 Hz with the intensity of up to 2 mA and duration up to 20 min.
Parietofrontal Fast Theta Stimulation	Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)	Participants will receive multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation over the prefrontal and parietal brain regions that induces parietal-to-frontal traveling wave at the frequency of 7 Hz with the intensity of up to 2 mA and duration up to 20 min.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in working memory performance	Immediate effect during stimulation	Changes in working memory performance (% of correct responses) as measured with the standardized N-back working memory task during active stimulation relative to pre-stimulation performance.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in reaction time	Immediate effect during stimulation	Changes in reaction time (milliseconds) as measured using the standardized N-back working memory task during active stimulation relative to pre-stimulation performance.
Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) connectivity	Five minutes post-stimulation	Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) connectivity in theta band (in normalized units) after transcranial electric stimulation relative to pre-stimulation periods.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota; 🇺🇸 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States