tDCS-enhanced Working Memory Training in Subjective Cognitive Decline

This 2-armed randomized, sham-controlled, single-blind study aims at providing evidence for the efficacy of a transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)-enhanced cognitive control training (PASAT) in participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Overall, the study will include 30 participants. Each participant will take part in a four weeks training (12 sessions); 50% of the participants will receive 2mA anodal tDCS for 20 minutes applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), the other half will receive sham stimulation. Event-related potentials (ERPs) evoked by the feedback on the correctness of the response at baseline and after training will be measured with EEG as neurophysiological signatures of cognitive control. Near and far transfer will be assessed by a verbal 2-back task and the Trail Making Test A and B. The amount of worrying regarding the memory impairment will be quantified by means of a 10 point Likert-Scale. Together with changes of PASAT performance these measures will be obtained before and after the tDCS-enhanced training. Follow-up assessments 3, 12 and 24 months after training will investigate the stability of training effects.