TRAINSTIM2: tDCS Effects on Associative Learning in Younger Adults
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to investigate whether a tDCS-accompanied training of audio-visual associative memory leads to a performance improvement in healthy older individuals."
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Anodal tDCS + training Combination of intensive training of picture-word associations (Wernicko task) with anodal stimulation |
Device: tDCS
Behavioral: training
Other Names:
|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS + training Combination of intensive training of picture-word associations (Wernicko task) with sham stimulation |
Device: tDCS
Behavioral: training
Other Names:
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Performance in a verbal associative learning paradigm under anodal tDCS compared to sham tDCS. [assessed immediately after training period (several learning blocks) compared to sham]
Investigation whether anodal tDCS leads to improved performance accuracy in the Wernicko task compared to sham stimulation.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Functional connectivity predictors [assessed during baseline testing]
Connectivity as measured by resting-state fMRI during baseline as predictors for performance and tDCS responsiveness
- Structural predictors [assessed during baseline testing]
Microstructure of white matter (Fractional Anisotropy) as measured by diffusion tensor imaging during baseline as predictors for performance and tDCS responsiveness
- Genotyping of learning related polymorphisms [assessed during baseline screening]
To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed
- Other cognitive outcomes: Attention performance [assessed directly before and immediately after tDCS + training compared to sham]
Digit span forward performance assessed before and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on attention
- Other cognitive outcomes: working memory performance [assessed directly before and immediately after tDCS + training compared to sham]
Digit span backward performance assessed before and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on working memory
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Age: young (18-30 years)
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Right handedness
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unobtrusive neuropsychological screening
Exclusion Criteria:
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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or other neurological diseases.
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History of severe alcoholism or use of drugs.
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Severe psychiatric disorders such as depression, psychosis (if not in remission) and severe untreated medical problems.
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Contraindication for MRI (claustrophobia, metallic implants, ferromagnetic metals in the body, disorders of thermoregulation, pregnant women).
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin | Berlin | Germany | 10117 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Agnes Flöel, Prof. Dr., Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Breitenstein C, Jansen A, Deppe M, Foerster AF, Sommer J, Wolbers T, Knecht S. Hippocampus activity differentiates good from poor learners of a novel lexicon. Neuroimage. 2005 Apr 15;25(3):958-68.
- Breitenstein C, Knecht S. Development and validation of a language learning model for behavioral and functional-imaging studies. J Neurosci Methods. 2002 Mar 15;114(2):173-9.
- Flöel A, Rösser N, Michka O, Knecht S, Breitenstein C. Noninvasive brain stimulation improves language learning. J Cogn Neurosci. 2008 Aug;20(8):1415-22. doi: 10.1162/jocn.2008.20098.
- TRAINSTIM2.C