Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on GABA Concentration and Brain Functional Connectivity in Older Adults.
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 24
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- GABA concentration assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) before and after anodal tDCS adjusted for baseline levels
Study 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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 50 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •unobtrusive neuropsychological screening
- •age: older adults of working age: 50-65 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).
Arms & Interventions
Cathodal tDCS
Cathodal stimulation during resting state fMRI
Intervention: tDCS (Device)
Anodal tDCS
Anodal stimulation during resting state fMRI
Intervention: tDCS (Device)
sham tDCS
Sham stimulation during resting state fMRI
Intervention: sham-tDCS (Device)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
GABA concentration assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) before and 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
- GABA concentration assessed by MRS before and after cathodal tDCS adjusted for baseline levels(assessed immediately before and after a 15-min stimulation time)
- Genotyping of learning related polymorphisms(assessed during baseline screening)
- Resting-state functional connectivity changes(assessed during a 15-min stimulation time)
Investigators
Agnes Flöel
Prof. Dr.
Charite University, Berlin, Germany