Understanding the Neural Mechanisms Behind tDCS

Catholic University (KU) of Leuven

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: tDCS Mechanisms

Treatments: Device: brain stimulation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04577677

S63709

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to investigate the neural mechanisms underpinning transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique in which a direct current is passed through scalp electrodes. A series of experiments will be conducted to understand and characterize the transcranial and transcutaneous mechanisms of tDCS. To investigate this research question, every participant will undergo three stimulation conditions (active, sham and control). In the control condition, an anaesthetic cream will be applied to anaesthetize the nerves in the scalp. In addition, the effectiveness of tDCS and peripheral nerve stimulation will be compared. Ultimately, the obtained knowledge can lead to the development of improved non-invasive neuromodulation therapies, which can lead to more effective treatments of a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Enrollment: 130 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 40 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• good general health

Exclusion criteria

• Epilepsy or family history of epilepsy
• Migraine
• Allergic to lidocaine or benzocaine
• Pregnant
• History of or currently suffering from:
• neurological diseases
• psychiatric diseases, depression or anxiety (Annex B and Annex C)
• History of:
• brain surgery
• brain thrombosis
• cerebral hemorrhage
• severe head trauma
• meningitis
• long period of loss of consciousness (> 1 hour)
• Metal parts in the head or upper body:
• Defibrillator, implanted medication pump
• Metal prosthesis in ear, hart, ...
• Deep brain stimulator
• Coronary bypass or intracranial or aneurysm clips (brain arteries, aorta, etc.)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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130 participants in 5 patient groups

optimization of control anesthetic condition

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: brain stimulation

understanding tDCS effect on motor learning

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: brain stimulation

understanding tDCS effects on cortical excitability

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: brain stimulation

optimizing peripheral nerve stimulation protocols

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: brain stimulation

Effect peripheral nerve stimulation on motor learning

Experimental group

Treatment:

Device: brain stimulation