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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05399381

Traveling-wave Transcranial Electric Stimulation

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

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Key information

Conditions

Working Memory

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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

Treatment and study plan

transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)

Device

Non-invasive, multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over frontal and parietal brain areas.

Primary outcomes

  1. Working Memory Accuracy (N-back Task)

    Time frame: During each stimulation block (approximately 20 minutes per block) in two study sessions conducted on separate days and separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period.

    Accuracy (proportion of correct responses) during performance of the N-back working memory task within each stimulation block. Values represent absolute task performance during active or sham stimulation in a within-subject crossover design.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Changes in Reaction Time

    Time frame: During each stimulation block (approximately 20 minutes per block) in two study sessions conducted on separate days and separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period.

    Reaction time (milliseconds) during performance of the N-back working memory task within each stimulation block. Values represent absolute reaction time during active or sham stimulation conditions in a within-subject crossover design

  2. Theta-band Frontoparietal EEG Phase Connectivity (dwPLI)

    Time frame: Resting-state EEG was recorded immediately before and immediately after each stimulation block in two sessions conducted on separate days (≥48-hour washout).

    Frontoparietal phase synchronization in the theta band (4-7 Hz), quantified using the debiased weighted Phase-Lag Index (dwPLI) between frontal and parietal electrode pairs. Connectivity values range from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating stronger phase synchronization

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Minnesota

Other

Collaborators

  • Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

Precision Transcranial Electric Stimulation for the Therapy of Cognitive Impairment

Acronym: TravelingTES

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 1, 2022
Registry last updated
Aug 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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