The Effect of Repeated Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Antisocial and Aggressive Behavior

This study investigates the relationship between prefrontal cortex activity and antisocial and aggressive behavior, and risk factors for such behavior. In the double-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants will undergo three sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or sham stimulation and complete survey and laboratory measures assessing antisocial behavior and risk factors. Heart rate and skin conductance will also be measured.

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Key information

Conditions

Antisocial Behavior Aberrant Motor Behavior in Dementia Aggression Antisocial Personality Disorder Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Mental Disorders Personality Disorders Social Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

Above 18 years of age
Able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Currently consuming anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, or sedative/hypnotic medications
Currently consuming anti-depressants
History of seizures
Metallic implants on the scalp
Participation in other transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or tDCS experiments on the same day
History of adverse reactions to tDCS

Treatment and study plan

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Device

Primary outcomes

Number of Pins Inserted Into a Virtual Voodoo Doll After 48 Hours

Time frame: On average, 48 hours after the first 20-minute tDCS or sham session ends

The number of pins (between 0 and 51) that participants decide to insert into a picture of a voodoo doll on a computer that represents either a romantic partner or close friend will be recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Pennsylvania

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Repeated Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex on Antisocial and Aggressive Behavior

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2020
Study completion: 2021
First posted: Feb 4, 2016
Registry last updated: Jan 18, 2022

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