Effects of PFC tDCS on Cognitive Control, Attention Lapses and Coordinated Neural Activity in the Theta and Alpha Bands

NCT ID: NCT04885322

Last Updated: 2025-12-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

75 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-04-14

Study Completion Date

2027-06-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to better understand the neural correlates of higher-order cognition, both in the healthy brain and in schizophrenia, and to determine how these mechanisms are modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at frontal and occipital scalp sites. Testing the effects of tDCS at these scalp sites on cognitive task performance will help us understand the roles of the brain regions corresponding to these sites during higher-order cognitive processing (language comprehension, cognitive control, and related attention and memory processes). Behavioral and electrophysiological (EEG) measures will be used to assess cognitive performance. Our overarching hypothesis is that stimulating prefrontal circuits with tDCS can improve cognitive control performance, and ultimately performance on a range of cognitive tasks, as compared to stimulating a different cortical region (occipital cortex) or using sham stimulation.

This study is solely intended as basic research in order to understand brain function in healthy individuals and individuals with schizophrenia. This study is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat schizophrenia or any other disease.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Healthy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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DLPFC Stimulation

Intervention. 20 minutes of 2 mA direct current stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

In tDCS, saline-soaked electrodes are temporary affixed to the scalp and connected to a battery-powered current generator. A weak (2 mA) constant current is then briefly applied (\~20 minutes) to stimulate the targeted brain area. The targeted brain area is determined by the Study Arm.

Occipital Stimulation

Intervention. 20 minutes of 2 mA direct current stimulation over the occipital cortex.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

In tDCS, saline-soaked electrodes are temporary affixed to the scalp and connected to a battery-powered current generator. A weak (2 mA) constant current is then briefly applied (\~20 minutes) to stimulate the targeted brain area. The targeted brain area is determined by the Study Arm.

Sham Stimulation

Placebo Comparator. 0.5-1 minutes of 2 mA direct current stimulation over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex followed by 19-19.5 minutes of sham stimulation

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

In tDCS, saline-soaked electrodes are temporary affixed to the scalp and connected to a battery-powered current generator. A weak (2 mA) constant current is then briefly applied (\~20 minutes) to stimulate the targeted brain area. The targeted brain area is determined by the Study Arm.

Interventions

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

In tDCS, saline-soaked electrodes are temporary affixed to the scalp and connected to a battery-powered current generator. A weak (2 mA) constant current is then briefly applied (\~20 minutes) to stimulate the targeted brain area. The targeted brain area is determined by the Study Arm.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* between ages of 18 and 50
* ability to sufficiently speak and understand English so as to be able to understand and complete cognitive tasks
* ability to give valid informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* no history of head trauma
* no current or previous history of treatment with psychotropic medication
* corrected vision 20/30 or better
* tDCS/MRI contraindications, including: pregnancy, ferrous metal in any part of the body, serious medical conditions, claustrophobia, metallic implants, skin damage, conditions such as eczema at electrode sites, cranial pathologies
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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University of California, Davis

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

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Imaging Research Center

Sacramento, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Minhtrang Chu

Role: CONTACT

1-916-734-1482

Facility Contacts

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Vanessa Zarubin, BS/BA

Role: primary

916-734-3749

Other Identifiers

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1344169-8

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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