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NCT Number: NCT06561165

Multifocal HD-tDCS and Motor Function

The purpose of this study is to understand how the brain controls movement and how Non-invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) with a technique called High-density transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can alter brain processes to improve behavior. Participants in this study will be randomized to either HD-tDCS with standard intervention or personalized dose-controlled multifocal network-targeted HD-tDCS.

The hypothesis is that dexterous hand function will improve after a standard HD-tDCS dose and increase even more after personalized dose-controlled multifocal network-targeted HD-tDCS.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy

Age range

65 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Michael Vesia, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

734-764-5237

Michael Vesia, PhD

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

About this study

This project is the first of two projects. The second project will be registered as a separate project in the future and enroll participants from this project.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants should be in good health with normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity
  • Right handed
  • No history of neurological disorder
  • English speaker
  • Able to provide written consent prior to admission

Exclusion criteria

  • Left-handed
  • Participants are pregnant, suspect pregnancy or are attempting to become pregnant
  • Have a pacemaker, intracardiac lines or any other medically implanted device or medicine pump
  • Have cochlear hearing implants
  • Taking drugs known to influence neural receptors that facilitate neuroplasticity (see protocol)
  • Have non removable body piercings or have foreign objects in body
  • Have metal anywhere in the head that could increase risk of serious injury (not including braces, dental fillings, etc.) (see protocol)
  • Have a personal or family history of seizure/epilepsy
  • Taking prescription drugs that lower the threshold for seizures
  • Recent history of excessive alcohol consumption
  • History of alcohol addiction/dependence
  • Recent history of recreational drug use
  • History of drug addiction/dependence
  • Recent history of recreational drug use
  • History of drug addiction/dependence
  • Diagnosed with a stroke, brain hemorrhage, brain tumor, encephalitis.
  • Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
  • Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease
  • Diagnosed with depression in the past 6 months
  • Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia, manic depressive (bipolar) disorder
  • Diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus or increased intra-cranial pressure
  • Diabetes requiring insulin treatment
  • Any serious heart disorder or liver disease

Treatment and study plan

Standard HD-tDCS intervention

Device

Participants will have three sessions along with behavioral assessments.

Multifocal network targeted HD-tDCS intervention

Device

Participants will have three sessions along with behavioral assessments.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Device

Participants will have an MRI before or after having HD-tDCS intervention.

Primary outcomes

  1. Percent change in precision force-tracking task

    Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after the third sessions are completed

    Squared distance (error) from the cursor to the target in precision force-tracking task, estimated as the root mean squared error (RMSE).

  2. Percentage change in the time to complete the nine-hole peg test (9-HPT)

    Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after the third sessions are completed

    9-hole peg test is a manual dexterity measure, estimated as the time required to complete the task (seconds).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Percentage change in the mean choice reaction time

    Time frame: Baseline and 24 hours after the third sessions are completed

    Mean reaction time for subjects responding in the 2-choice reaction time control task, for correct responses

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Michael Vesia, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

734-764-5237

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Michigan

Other

Collaborators

  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
  • Medical University of South Carolina

Registry information

Official study title

Personalizing Multifocal Transcranial Direct Stimulation Dose to Target the Motor Network in Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 19, 2024
Registry last updated
Feb 17, 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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