Performance Enhancement and Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Bruyere Research Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Brain Stimulation; Motor Activity; Executive Function

Treatments: Behavioral: Working Memory Training; Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02498574

M16-15-015

Details and patient eligibility

About

A promising form of enhancing brain function non-invasively involves stimulating the brain using weak magnetic or electric currents. This method is becoming increasingly popular in both clinical and commercial circles; a number of portable, at-home devices are available on the commercial market for personal use. In this study, the investigators aim to determine factors associated with the enhancement of cognitive and motor learning following transcranial direct-current stimulation in healthy young adults. Understanding how participants respond to brain stimulation is critical to maximizing the effectiveness of stimulation and determining its potential as a performance-enhancing aid for mental tasks. Future developments of this study may also inform the capacity of brain stimulation to act as non-drug alternative to treatment for cognitive decline.

Full description

This study involves a single session of anodal tDCS, applied over the motor cortex, while performing a task of motor dexterity. Pre and post stimulation evaluations will assess any effects of the stimulation on motor and cognitive performance.

Enrollment: 121 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants must be in good health,
• between 18-35 years of age
• with no prior history of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke with paralysis.

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with cardiac stimulators (pace-makers) and those with metal implants in the skull will be excluded.
• Pregnant women will also be excluded.

Participants will be required to fill out a brief health questionnaire to ensure that they have no conditions that would prevent brain stimulation.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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121 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Group 1

Experimental group

Description:

Non-invasive brain stimulation protocol expected to improve performance, with cognitively challenging game

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Behavioral: Working Memory Training

Group 2

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Non-invasive brain stimulation protocol not expected to improve performance, with cognitively challenging game

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Behavioral: Working Memory Training