Investigating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Accelerating Learning in a Healthy Older Population

Sponsor
The University of Texas at Dallas (Other)
Overall Status
Active, not recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT03467698
Collaborator
(none)
36
1
2
48
0.8

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
  • Device: Active tDCS
  • Device: Sham tDCS
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

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
36 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Intervention Model Description:
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) active tDCS (2) Sham tDCS.Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) active tDCS (2) Sham tDCS.
Masking:
Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Basic Science
Official Title:
Investigating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Accelerating Learning in a Healthy Older Population
Actual Study Start Date :
Feb 21, 2018
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
Dec 17, 2021
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
Feb 21, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
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

  1. 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

Ages Eligible for Study:
55 Years to 75 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Yes
Inclusion Criteria:
  1. Age between 55 and 75

  2. Currently not using any medication contradicting with tDCS

  3. Native English speaker

  4. Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:
  1. Acquainted with the Swahili language or culture

  2. Severe disease

  3. Mental illness

  4. Cardiac history

  5. History of severe head injuries

  6. History of epileptic insults

  7. Any implanted devices such as pace maker, neurostimulator

  8. Pregnancy

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
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.
Responsible Party:
Sven Vanneste, Associate professor, The University of Texas at Dallas
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT03467698
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • 18-40
First Posted:
Mar 16, 2018
Last Update Posted:
Apr 27, 2021
Last Verified:
Apr 1, 2021
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
No
Plan to Share IPD:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
Yes
Keywords provided by Sven Vanneste, Associate professor, The University of Texas at Dallas

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Apr 27, 2021