GEST: Cognitive Embodiment Activation by tDCS
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The main objective of the proposed research is to extend our understanding of how gesture and language interact, focusing on the role of cognitive embodiment in this interaction, and to explore the neural systems that support links between language and actions systems.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Anodal tDCS + semantic, motor, attentional tasks Combination of gestural (subjects have to indicate if the gesture is related to the word), attentional and motor tasks with anodal stimulation |
Device: tDCS
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Other Names:
|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS + semantic, motor, attentional tasks Combination of gestural (subjects have to indicate if the gesture is related to the word), attentional and motor tasks with sham stimulation |
Device: sham-tDCS
sham stimulation
Other Names:
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- response time in semantic decision task [assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of semantic decision task (last approximately 10 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks]
Comparing response time in semantic decision task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from sham stimulation)
- performance in attentional load task [assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of attentional load task (last approximately 6 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks]
Attentional load task: Participants are presented with a 6 positions ring that includes different shapes, they have to press V when they see a square and N when they see a diamond. They will have to ignore any shapes other than square and diamond within the ring or distractors that appear outside the ring. Comparing performance in attentional load task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from sham stimulation)
- performance in motor task [assessed during stimulation or sham stimulation of motor task (last approximately 4 min) at specific timepoint within 2 weeks]
Motor Task: Participants are presented with a red Box and they have to click a button each time they see it as fast as they can. Comparing performance in motor task under anodal tDCS compared to sham stimulation (change from 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
- Other cognitive outcomes: change in working memory performance [change in working memory performance from baseline after 30 min (approximately)]
Digit span backward performance assessed before (baseline) and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on working memory
- Other cognitive outcomes: change in Attention performance [change in attention performance from baseline after 30 min (approximately)]
Digit span forward performance assessed before baseline) and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on attention
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Right handedness
-
unobtrusive neuropsychological screening
Exclusion Criteria:
-
History of severe alcoholism or use of drugs.
-
Severe psychiatric disorders such as depression, psychosis (if not in remission) and severe untreated medical problems.
-
Contraindication for MRT (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 | Berlin | Germany | 10117 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Agnes Floeel, Prof, Charite Universitätsmedizin
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
- Cohen-Maximov T, Avirame K, Flöel A, Lavidor M. Modulation of Gestural-verbal Semantic Integration by tDCS. Brain Stimul. 2015 May-Jun;8(3):493-8. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.12.001. Epub 2014 Dec 11.
- Flöel A, Ellger T, Breitenstein C, Knecht S. Language perception activates the hand motor cortex: implications for motor theories of speech perception. Eur J Neurosci. 2003 Aug;18(3):704-8.
- 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.
- GEST