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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03484377

Cortical Dynamics of Inhibitory Control: A Concurrent tDCS-MEG Study

This study aims to use concurrent Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Magnetoencephalography (MEG) with measures of impulsivity to examine the neurobiological underpinnings of rapid response impulsivity (RRI) and how these can be modified using tDCS in healthy subjects.

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Key information

Conditions

Impulsive Behavior Behavior

Age range

18 year–40 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Nottingham

Nottingham, Notts, NG7 2TU, United Kingdom

About this study

Concurrent tDCS-MEG parallel arms single-blinded experimental design (right anodal v sham tDCS) will be employed in this study. The study will be conducted at the University of Nottingham, using a sample of student volunteers. This study aims to examine the influence of anodal tDCS on beta-band and alpha-band oscillatory activities, using an anti-saccade task administered before, during and after tDCS stimulation. It can potentially help understand the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning rapid response impulsivity and how these can be influenced by tDCS.

The research hypotheses are that (i) a generalised mechanism for top-down inhibitory control will play a vital role, whereby prefrontal beta-band activity initiates alpha-band activity for functional inhibition over the frontal eye fields and other areas in the neurocircuitry involved in RRI; (ii) anodal tDCS (as opposed to sham) delivered over the right DLPFC will enhance this mechanism; and (iii) there will be no significant correlations between measures of self-report impulsivity and performance on the anti-saccade task and measures of oscillatory activity.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • University students and staff
  • Aged 18-40

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with epilepsy and other neurological conditions, history of significant head injury, substance misuse, major mental disorder and those receiving psychotropic medication.
  • Contraindications to use of Magnetic Resonance (pacemakers, metal implants, aneurysm clips)
  • Pregnancy.

Treatment and study plan

Anodal tDCS

Device

The experimental condition will use a constant current of 2mA for 20 minutes, delivered via gradual increase and decrease over 10 seconds at the onset and offset of stimulation (current ramps), respectively.

Sham tDCS

Device

The anodal electrode will be placed over the supreorbital ridge. The current will be delivered only in the first 10 seconds, after which the stimulation will cease but with the electrodes still in place throughout the session. The session will last for 20 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Total number of correct anti-saccade (AS) trials

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 20 minutes of tDCS

    A measure of rapid response impulsivity (inhibitory control)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total number of correct pro-saccade (PS) trials

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 20 minutes of tDCS

    A behavioral measure of rapid response impulsivity (inhibitory control)

  2. Saccade latency for anti-saccade (AS) trials

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 20 minutes of tDCS

    A behavioral measure of rapid response impulsivity (inhibitory control)

  3. Saccade latency for pro-saccade (PS) trials

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 20 minutes of tDCS

    A behavioral measure of rapid response impulsivity (inhibitory control)

  4. Total Scores on the UPPS+P Impulsive Behaviour Scale

    Time frame: Baseline

    A self-report measure of impulsivity

  5. Alpha and Beta band activity

    Time frame: Change from baseline after 20 minutes of tDCS

    A Cortical measure of inhibitory control recorded using Magnetoencephalography (MEG). MEG is a brain imaging technique.

Other outcomes

  1. Alpha and Beta band activity

    Time frame: During 20 minutes of tDCS stimulation

    Evaluation of mechanism of action of tDCS using MEG data

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Najat Khalifa

Other Gov

Collaborators

  • Medical Research Council
  • University of Nottingham

Registry information

Official study title

Measuring Cortical Dynamics of Inhibitory Control Before, During and After Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Acronym: CDIC-tDCS

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Mar 30, 2018
Registry last updated
Feb 25, 2020

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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