tDCS Applied to the OFC: Effects on Decision-Making and Impulse Control

Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Impulsive Behavior; Suicidal Impulses

Treatments: Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01805401

REB-11/42

2012 YIA (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study the investigators aim to assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; a safe and non-invasive method for modulating the activity of specific brain regions) when applied over the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is able to modulate decision-making and impulse control in healthy participants.

Full description

In this single-blind, three-arm and sham-controlled study, we will assess whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS; a safe and non-invasive method for modulating the activity of specific brain regions) when applied over the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is able to modulate decision-making and impulse control in healthy volunteers. We hypothesize that tDCS applied to the OFC, in comparison to sham tDCS, will significantly enhance decision-making and impulse control. For this study we will enroll 45 healthy individuals aged 18-60 years. These individuals will be assessed with a battery of computerized tasks as well as clinician-administered and self-reported questionnaires on depression and anxiety. Assessments will be carried out before and after a single 30-minute tDCS session.

Enrollment: 45 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women aged 18 to 60 years

Exclusion criteria

• Presence any psychiatric and/or neurological illness
• Psychoactive substance abuse/dependence in the past 6 months
• Current use of medication(s) that might influence cognition and/or affective status
• Presence of an uncontrolled medical disease (e.g., cardiovascular, renal)
• Pregnancy and/or lactation
• Specific contraindication for tDCS (e.g., metallic head implant).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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45 participants in 3 patient groups

Left OFC Group

Experimental group

Description:

Anode applied to the left OFC and cathode applied to the right OFC

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Right OFC Group

Experimental group

Description:

Anode applied to the right OFC and cathode applied to the left OFC

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Sham tDCS

Sham Comparator group

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation