Interference With Cognitive Control by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

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 a decrease of dlPFC activity in healthy subjects by cathodal 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 of cathodal tDCS to the left dlPFC on cognitive control in healthy subjects. To assess the cognitive control the investigators use a delayed response working memory task (DWM)and an arithmetic inhibition task (AIT) with pictures of varying valence.

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Key information

Conditions

Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen

Tübingen, 72076, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

informed consent

Exclusion criteria

psychiatric or neurological disorders seizures cardiac pacemakers

Treatment and study plan

Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Device

Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 20min, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 40s, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus

Primary outcomes

Correctness and reaction time of response

Time frame: Within 30 min starting 5 min after the initiation of stimulation

Correctness is defined as the percentage of correct responses in the DWM and AIT

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2012
Study completion: 2012
First posted: Jul 19, 2013
Registry last updated: Jul 19, 2013

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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed