HD-tDCS Over the dACC in High Trait Impulsivity

Monash University

Status

Completed

Conditions

Impulsive Behavior

Treatments

Device: Active High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)

Device: Sham High Definition transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04290533

17612

Details and patient eligibility

About

Psychological disorders characterized by impulsivity often show alterations in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) activity. Recent research has therefore focused on non-invasive neurostimulation therapies for the modulation of functional activity in the dACC. To date there has only been one proof-of-concept study providing evidence for modulating dACC activity with non-invasive electrical neurostimulation (e.g. transcranial electrical stimulation). Since transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is relatively safe, tolerable, and mobile as compared to other neurostimulation techniques, it is worthwhile looking further into the effects of tDCS on functional dACC activity. The aim of the present research is to explore whether HD-tDCS can induce changes in the dACC in individuals with high trait impulsivity (N=20) in a double-blind cross-over study. Functional changes in dACC activity will be measured by the error related negativity (ERN), which is an event related potential generated by the dACC. The ERN is less pronounced in people that score high on impulsivity. It is therefore expect enhanced ERN amplitudes after HD-tDCS over the dACC. In addition, performance on the multisource interference task will be used as measure of dACC activity. It is hypothesize that increased dACC activity will be related to decreased impulsivity in high impulsive individuals as shown by improved inhibitory control on the Go/NoGo task. The results of the study may have implications for patient populations that are characterized by impulsivity.

Enrollment

23 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18 to 55 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Right-handed
Score > 46 on SUPPS-P

Exclusion criteria

Score low on trait impulsivity as determined by a score of < 47 on the SUPPS-P short form
History of DSM-5 defined neurological illness, mental illness or traumatic brain injury,
Currently taking any psychoactive medications,
Have metal anywhere in the head, except the mouth. This includes metallic objects such as screws, plates and clips from surgical procedures.
Currently pregnant or lactating,
Being left-handed