Modulation of Cognitive Control by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Major Depression
• Interventions: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); DC-STIMULATOR (NeuroConn GmbH, Ilmenau, Germany)

• Registration Number: NCT01652391
• Lead Sponsor: University Hospital Tuebingen

Brief Summary

Insufficient cognitive control over emotional distracters is characteristic for major depressive disorder (MDD). Hypoactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is associated with this deficit. In this study the investigators assess the effect of an enhancement of dlPFC activity in MDD patients by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive control.

In a double-blinded, balanced randomized, sham-controlled crossover trial the investigators determine the effect of a single-session tDCS to the left dlPFC on cognitive control in MDD patients and healthy controls. To assess the cognitive control the investigators use a delayed response working memory (DWM) task with pictures of varying valence presented during the delay period.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-07
• Primary Completion: 2012-06
• Study First Submitted: 2012-07-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2012-07-25
• Study First Posted: 2012-07-30
• Study Completion: 2012-12
• Status Verified: 2013-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-12-29
• Last Update Posted: 2013-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 44

Inclusion Criteria

• age > 18
• informed consent
• in the patients group: Major depressive disorder, no antidepressant medication or stability over 1 week

Exclusion Criteria

• seizures
• cardiac pacemaker
• deep brain stimulation

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation	Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); DC-STIMULATOR (NeuroConn GmbH, Ilmenau, Germany)	Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 20min, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation	Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); DC-STIMULATOR (NeuroConn GmbH, Ilmenau, Germany)	Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 40s, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Correctness of response	The primary outcome measure is obtained during the intervention (20min tDCS or sham stimulation).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Reaction time	The secondary outcome measure is obtained during the intervention (20min tDCS or sham stimulation).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universitiy Hospital Tübingen; 🇩🇪 Tübingen, Germany