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Effects of Gamma-tACS on EEG Periodic Activity

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
Registration Number
NCT05809076
Lead Sponsor
IRCCS San Camillo, Venezia, Italy
Brief Summary

In this study on healthy subjects, the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) will be investigated. In particular, the distinction between periodic and aperiodic electroencephalogram (EEG) activity will be considered, as well as the state-dependency phenomenon. Participants will take part in two experimental sessions that will include tACS stimulation (one real, one control). Before, during, and after stimulation, subjects will have their EEG recorded during rest or during tasks.

The aim of this study is to investigate how the modulatory effects of gamma-tACS interact with intrinsic neural activity, measured in terms of periodic and aperiodic activity, as well as neurophysiological and behavioral modulation, taking into consideration the state-dependency phenomenon, which refers to the brain's activation state prior to stimulation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
34
Inclusion Criteria
  • Healthy adults
Exclusion Criteria
  • Common exclusion criteria
  • Left-handedness (assessed through the Oldfield test)
  • Diagnosis of neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • Vision problems that prevent reading, not correctable with lenses
  • Diagnosis of substance dependence on drugs or alcohol
  • Presence of hearing aids/prostheses
  • Diagnosis of epilepsy or family history up to the second degree with it
  • Episodes of febrile convulsions or recurrent fainting
  • Head trauma
  • Presence of surgical clips or metal implants in the head
  • Diagnosis of heart disease
  • Presence of a cardiac pacemaker or artificial heart valve
  • Presence of hearing aids/prostheses
  • Hearing problems or tinnitus
  • Vision problems not corrected with lenses (such as color blindness)
  • Taking tricyclic antidepressant medications
  • Taking neuroleptic medications
  • Diagnosis of headache or migraine
  • Taking more than 3 alcoholic units in the last 24 hours
  • Taking 2 or more cups of coffee or caffeine from other sources in the last 2 hours

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) signalimmediately after the intervention

The periodic and aperiodic activity of the EEG signal will be estimated through Brainstorm (i.e., EEG analysis software) and quantified in terms of numerical values representing the periodic/aperiodic component of the EEG signal. The periodic and aperiodic activity of the EEG signal will be assessed during three time frames: baseline, during the intervention, and immediately after the intervention (real or sham tACS)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
behavioral performance (accuracy)immediately after the intervention

Participants' motor performance at a computerized task will be measured in terms of accuracy (% of correct responses at the computerized task, according to the task's instructions). The participants' motor performance will be assessed during two time frames: baseline and immediately after the intervention (real or sham tACS)

behavioral performance (response times)immediately after the intervention

Participants' motor performance at a computerized task will be measured in terms of response times (how fast the participants press a computer button, according to the task's instructions). The participants' motor performance will be assessed during two time frames: baseline and immediately after the intervention (real or sham tACS)

auditory steady state response (ASSR)immediately after the intervention

The auditory steady state response will be measured via EEG during entrainment through exposure to amplitude-modulated 40Hz sounds (5 min, sequence of amplitude-modulated tones at 40 Hz, delivered via earplug binaurally). The auditory steady state response will be measured as power of the EEG gamma band. The auditory steady state response will be assessed during two time frames: baseline and immediately after the intervention (real or sham tACS)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

IRCCS San Camillo Hospital

🇮🇹

Venice, Italy

IRCCS San Camillo Hospital
🇮🇹Venice, Italy
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