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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01652391

Modulation of 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 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.

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Key information

Conditions

Major Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

18 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Universitiy Hospital Tübingen

Tübingen, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

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

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS); DC-STIMULATOR (NeuroConn GmbH, Ilmenau, Germany)

Device

Primary outcomes

  1. Correctness of response

    Time frame: The primary outcome measure is obtained during the intervention (20min tDCS or sham stimulation).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Reaction time

    Time frame: The secondary outcome measure is obtained during the intervention (20min tDCS or sham stimulation).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Modulation of Cognitive Control in Healthy and Depressed Subjects by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2012
First posted
Jul 30, 2012
Registry last updated
Dec 31, 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.

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