KULeuven
Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, 3000, Belgium
Location status: Recruiting
Recruiting
NCT Number: NCT04577677
Understanding the Neural Mechanisms Behind tDCS
The aim of the study is to investigate the neural mechanisms underpinning transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique in which a direct current is passed through scalp electrodes. A series of experiments will be conducted to understand and characterize the transcranial and transcutaneous mechanisms of tDCS. To investigate this research question, every participant will undergo three stimulation conditions (active, sham and control). In the control condition, an anaesthetic cream will be applied to anaesthetize the nerves in the scalp. In addition, the effectiveness of tDCS and peripheral nerve stimulation will be compared. Ultimately, the obtained knowledge can lead to the development of improved non-invasive neuromodulation therapies, which can lead to more effective treatments of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Recruiting
Interested in participating?
Request InfoKey information
Conditions
Age range
18 year–40 year
Sex eligibility
All sexes
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- good general health
Exclusion criteria
- Epilepsy or family history of epilepsy
- Migraine
- Allergic to lidocaine or benzocaine
- Pregnant
- History of or currently suffering from:
- neurological diseases
- psychiatric diseases, depression or anxiety (Annex B and Annex C)
- History of:
- brain surgery
- brain thrombosis
- cerebral hemorrhage
- severe head trauma
- meningitis
- long period of loss of consciousness (> 1 hour)
- Metal parts in the head or upper body:
- Defibrillator, implanted medication pump
- Metal prosthesis in ear, hart, …
- Deep brain stimulator
- Coronary bypass or intracranial or aneurysm clips (brain arteries, aorta, etc.)
Treatment and study plan
brain stimulation
DevicetDCS and peripheral nerve stimulation
Other names: skin intervention
Primary outcomes
-
Visual Analogue Scale
Time frame: 30 minutes during stimulation
Rate sensation from 0 ('I feel nothing') to 10 ('Stimulation is painful')
-
Reaction time
Time frame: 20 minutes during tDCS stimulation
Reaction time on the motor learning task
-
Reaction time
Time frame: 20 minutes during peripheral nerve stimulation
Reaction time on motor learning task
-
Amplitudes of event related potentials
Time frame: during tDCS
ERP during stimulation
-
Amplitudes of event related potentials
Time frame: during peripheral nerve stimulation
ERP during stimulation
-
Pupil dilations
Time frame: during peripheral nerve stimulation
pupil diameter during stimulation
Study contacts
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
KU Leuven
Other
Registry information
Official study title
Understanding the Neural Mechanisms Behind Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Important dates
- Study start
- 2020
- Primary completion
- 2024
- Study completion
- 2024
- First posted
- Oct 8, 2020
- Registry last updated
- Aug 30, 2024
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.