Immediate Effects of DLPFC tDCS on Attention Bias

Johns Hopkins University

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Depression

Treatments: Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05263440

IRB00312231

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research is being done to test if the investigators can modify or reduce negative attention bias in depression following a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left anodal dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in patients with mild to severe depression. The study will consist of a single-session tDCS session administered onsite at the Johns Hopkins University (JHU). After the consent process, participants will complete the study (approximately one hour in duration) with the guidance of a research associate.

Full description

This prospective pilot study will recruit 25 female participants, ages 18-45 (inclusive), with mild to severe depression (based on BDI-II score range 14-19 for mild and 29-63 for severe) to determine if a single-session of tDCS can alter negative attention bias. The primary objective is to study if single-session tDCS will affect attention bias in depression and is not meant to treat depression. Subjects may or may not be receiving treatment for mild-severe depression.

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 18-45
• Female
• Mild to severe depression (determined by BDI-II scores of 14-19 and 29-63, respectively)
• If taking antidepressants, medication must be stable ≥ 30 days prior to screening

Exclusion criteria

• Wide-Range Achievement Test-Fourth Edition (WRAT-4) Reading Subtest standard score <85 (to ensure understanding of test procedures)
• Insufficient visual and motor ability to operate the intervention and assessments as judged by treating neurologist or study staff
• Primary psychiatric disorder other than depression (based on MINI)
• Primary neurologic condition that would prevent ability to participate (as determined by study clinician).
• History of head trauma in the last year
• Medical device implants in the head or neck
• History or current uncontrolled seizure disorder
• Current substance abuse disorder
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Skin disorder/sensitive skin near stimulation locations

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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0 participants in 1 patient group

Experimental: Female participants with Depression

Experimental group

Description:

Female participants with mild to severe depression to determine if a single-session of tDCS can alter negative attention bias. The primary objective is to study if single-session tDCS will affect attention bias in depression and is not meant to treat depression.

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)