Cognitive Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Older Adults
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This research is being done to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve certain mental abilities. In this research, a 9 volt battery is used to deliver very weak electrical current to the surface of the scalp while participants complete cognitive tasks. Our aim is to find out whether tDCS will improve task performance in adults over the age of 55.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
Participants enrolled into this study may be asked to do the following:
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Grant permission for the researchers to view medical records associated with their language/cognitive difficulties (if applicable).
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Complete a questionnaire, provide a health history, and take some pencil-and-paper tests of problem-solving and memory in order to verify eligibility to participate and to able to safely undergo the experimental procedures.
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Complete several tasks (i.e., saying words out loud, naming objects, drawing designs, remembering lists of words, searching for images or letters, and/or completing puzzles) based upon a number of cognitive functions such as language, memory, vision, processing, and perception.
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Wear electrodes that will be placed on the scalp with a large rubberized band. These electrodes will administer very weak electrical current (tDCS) from a 9 volt battery for 20 to 60 minutes.
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Participate in several study conditions. The exact conditions and their order will be randomized. Under some conditions, participants may receive active stimulation (tDCS) and under other conditions, they may receive sham stimulation.
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The experimental sessions will last approximately 2 hours and participants may be asked to have more than one testing session in a day or to return for additional sessions.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Sham Comparator: Sham Stimulation transcranial direct current stimulation that is ramped up and ramped down providing the sensation of tDCS without delivering the full amount of tDCS |
Procedure: transcranial direct current stimulation
delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation or sham stimulation for 20 to 60 minutes
|
| Experimental: Anodal Stimulation transcranial direct current stimulation using Anodal stimulation over the area of interest |
Procedure: transcranial direct current stimulation
delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation or sham stimulation for 20 to 60 minutes
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Cognitive Test Performance [The average time frame is 2 hours]
Cognitive test performance by subjects will be evaluated upon completion of enrollment to determine if tDCS improved performance on cognitive tests
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Over the age of 55
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Right Handed
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Native English speaker
Exclusion Criteria:
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History of Seizures
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Any implanted metal device or pacemaker
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Appreciable deficits in hearing or vision
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Greater than 1.5 standard deviations below demographically adjusted means on cognitive screen
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Dementia or Mini Mental Exam below 24
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of Neurology | Baltimore | Maryland | United States | 21231 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Johns Hopkins University
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Barry Gordon, Johns Hopkins University
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 15657-O