Effect of tACS Stimulation on Alpha Oscillations (AIMS1)

University of North Carolina (UNC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Healthy

Treatments: Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS; Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03178344

R01MH111889-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

16-1911a

Details and patient eligibility

About

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is one method that has been demonstrated to enhance alpha oscillations in healthy participants by applying weak electrical currents to the scalp to modulate rhythmic brain activity patterns. This study will involve tACS-induced frontal alpha oscillations, EEG recordings, and other physiological and biological measures.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Ages 18-65
• Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent)
• Negative pregnancy test for female participants

Exclusion criteria

• History of major neurological or psychiatric illness, including epilepsy
• Medication use associated with neurological or psychiatric illnesses
• Currently undergoing counseling or psychotherapy treatment for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD or other behavioral conditions
• First degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with major neurological or psychiatric illness
• Prior brain surgery
• Major head injury
• Any brain devices/implants (including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips)
• Braids or other hair styling that prevents direct access to the scalp (if removal not possible)
• Skin allergies or very sensitive skin
• Pregnant or nursing females
• Failure to pass a urinary drug test at the first session
• Use of hormonal birth control or supplements in the past two weeks
• Non English speakers
• Cardiovascular disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Sham Stimulation, then Alpha Stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive sham stimulation at the first session, followed by a 5-9 day washout period and alpha stimulation at the second session. Sham Stimulation mimics the physical effects of stimulation, with up to one minute of stimulation during the session. Sham stimulation is delivered using the XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham. Participants will receive 2 mA of alternating current stimulation at a frequency of 10 Hz for 40 minutes. tACS stimulation is delivered using the XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS.

Treatment:

Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham

Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS

Alpha Stimulation, then Sham Stimulation

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive alpha stimulation at the first session, followed by a 5-9 day washout period and sham stimulation at the second session. Participants will receive 2 mA of alternating current stimulation at a frequency of 10 Hz for 40 minutes. tACS stimulation is delivered using the XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS. Sham Stimulation mimics the physical effects of stimulation, with up to one minute of stimulation during the session. Sham stimulation is delivered using the XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham.

Treatment:

Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham

Device: XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS