Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as a Cognitive Functioning Enhancement Treatment for ADHD Patients Compared to Healthy Controls
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
This study will examine the possible effects of tDCS (Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation) treatment to the left DLPFC on cognitive functions which were found to be deficient amongst ADHD patients. The study will include 100 subjects, 50 of whom diagnosed with ADHD. Subjects will complete the CAARS questionnaire to measure ADHD symptoms severity. Next, subjects will complete a series of cognitive tasks, after which they will receive either tDCS treatment or a sham treatment. Finally, subjects will repeat the cognitive tasks. Later that day, a telephonic follow up will take place. ADHD symptoms will be assessed again the next day.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: ADHD tDCS
|
Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
To stimulate the left DLPFC, the anode electrode will be placed over F3 and the cathode will be placed over F4. Each stimulation will be applied for 20 min at 2mA intensity.
|
| Sham Comparator: ADHD Sham
|
Device: Sham
For the sham treatment, stimulation will be stopped after 30 seconds. Current will be renewed five times throughout the session for 2 seconds each time, to mimic the tDCS stimulation.
|
| Experimental: Healthy control tDCS
|
Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
To stimulate the left DLPFC, the anode electrode will be placed over F3 and the cathode will be placed over F4. Each stimulation will be applied for 20 min at 2mA intensity.
|
| Sham Comparator: Healthy control Sham
|
Device: Sham
For the sham treatment, stimulation will be stopped after 30 seconds. Current will be renewed five times throughout the session for 2 seconds each time, to mimic the tDCS stimulation.
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- N-back [through study completion, about six months]
improved working memory: increase in Hit rate
- Stroop [through study completion, about six months]
improved interference control: shorter RTs, increase in correct responses
- Stop-signal [through study completion, about six months]
improved response inhibition: shorter RTs
- Time Reproduction task [through study completion, about six months]
improved time perception: increased accuracy
- Continuous Performance Task [through study completion, about six months]
improved continuous concentration: shorter RT's, decrease in errors
- Navon task [through study completion, about six months]
improved accuracy, shorter RT's
Secondary Outcome Measures
- ADHD symptoms - CAARS questionnaire [through study completion, about six months]
decrease in symptoms severity
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:Participation criteria for healthy participants
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Right hand dominance.
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No psychiatric nor neural diagnosis.
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Participants must be able to comprehend the study's procedure and sign an informed consent.
Participation criteria for ADHD diagnosed participants
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ADHD diagnosis (according to DSM V).
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Right hand dominance.
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Participants must be able to comprehend the study's procedure and sign an informed consent.
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Participants who regularly use Methylphenidate will be required to avoid the medication for 24 hours prior to study and 12 hours post study.
Exclusion Criteria:
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- Other psychiatric diagnoses (additional to ADHD). b. Drug use (excluding Methylphenidate). c. Neurological disorders. d. Pacemaker, Insulin pump
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- tDCS-ADHD