Investigating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Accelerating Learning in a Healthy Older Population
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The overall objective of this study is to explore whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can accelerate associative learning and boost associative memory in healthy subjects.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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N/A |
Detailed Description
The overall objective of this study is to explore whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can accelerate associative learning and boost associative memory in healthy subjects.
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) stimulation during a verbal paired-associate learning task to determine if tDCS may be used as a way to enhance brain plasticity during an associative memory task, and to accelerate learning and to optimize associative memory performance. We hypothesize that participants who receive tDCS stimulation will improve their associative memory performance.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Experimental: Active tDCS active HD-tDCS will be administered |
Device: Active tDCS
Real stimulation
|
Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS sham HD-tDCS will be administered |
Device: Sham tDCS
Sham stimulation
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- A computerized verbal paired-associate memory task will be used to assess memory performance. [Memory performance changes will be assessed in three different visits. First assessment (baseline) on visit 1, then one-week after during visit 2, and one-month after during visit 3.]
Memory performance scores recorded in the computerized verbal paired-associate memory test during each visit will be compared between the two groups (active tDCS and sham tDCS).
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Age between 55 and 75
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Currently not using any medication contradicting with tDCS
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Native English speaker
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Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
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Acquainted with the Swahili language or culture
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Severe disease
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Mental illness
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Cardiac history
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History of severe head injuries
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History of epileptic insults
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Any implanted devices such as pace maker, neurostimulator
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Pregnancy
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson | Texas | United States | 75080 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- The University of Texas at Dallas
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Sven Vanneste, PhD, The University of Texas at Dallas
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 18-40