Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Cognitive Processing

NCT01602263 | Completed DMC

• 2 other identifiers: NA_0001565715657
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 307
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This research is being done to determine whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve certain mental abilities. In this research, battery powered device is used to deliver very weak electrical current to the surface of the scalp while participants complete cognitive tasks. Our aim is to find out whether tDCS will improve task performance in both healthy adults and those with neurological impairment.

Conditions

Aphasia; Autism; Schizophrenia

Keywords

Normal cognitive function; Aphasia; Autism; Schizophrenia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Indices of cognitive function

  The average time frame is 1 hour

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Persistence of cognitive enhancements following tDCS

  The average time frame is 1 hour

• Initiation, endurance and cessation of skin sensations caused by tDCS

  The average time frame is 1 hour

Study Arms (4)

Controls

Healthy Controls with no known cognitive impairment will have Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered and receive either Anodal, Cathodal or Sham tDCS.

Procedure: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Individuals with schizophrenia

Individuals with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives will have Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered and receive either Anodal, Cathodal or Sham tDCS.

Procedure: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Individuals with aphasia

Individuals with aphasia will have Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered and receive either Anodal, Cathodal or Sham tDCS.

Procedure: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Individuals with high-functioning autism

Individuals with high-functioning autism will have Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered and receive either Anodal, Cathodal or Sham tDCS.

Procedure: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) PROCEDURE

Anodal, Cathodal or Sham tDCS.

Controls; Individuals with aphasia; Individuals with high-functioning autism; Individuals with schizophrenia

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 79 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

You must also belong to one of three groups to join this study: 1. Healthy adults with no known deficits in cognition 2. Adults with acquired language problems (i.e., stroke, mental illness) 3. Adults with developmental language delays

You may qualify if:

• Right handed (as determined by the Edinburgh battery)
• English as native language

You may not qualify if:

• Appreciable deficits in hearing
• Appreciable problems with articulation
• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
• Appreciable accent
• Any neurological disorder associated with cognitive impairment or neuroanatomic abnormality
• Language-based learning disorder
• Any implanted metal device (precludes use of tDCS)
• Any implanted cardiac pacemaker
• Dementia or Mini-Mental State Exam \< 24
• Estimated verbal intelligence \< 70
• Right handed (as determined by the Edinburgh battery)
• English as native language
• History of acquired left-hemisphere dysfunction
• Appreciable deficits in hearing
• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Johns Hopkins University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Neurology; Cognitive Neurology/Neuropsychology

Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

• van Steenburgh JJ, Varvaris M, Schretlen DJ, Vannorsdall TD, Gordon B. Balanced bifrontal transcranial direct current stimulation enhances working memory in adults with high-functioning autism: a sham-controlled crossover study. Mol Autism. 2017 Jul 28;8:40. doi: 10.1186/s13229-017-0152-x. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28775825 DERIVED

• Vannorsdall TD, van Steenburgh JJ, Schretlen DJ, Jayatillake R, Skolasky RL, Gordon B. Reproducibility of tDCS Results in a Randomized Trial: Failure to Replicate Findings of tDCS-Induced Enhancement of Verbal Fluency. Cogn Behav Neurol. 2016 Mar;29(1):11-7. doi: 10.1097/WNN.0000000000000086.

  PMID: 27008245 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Aphasia; Autistic Disorder; Schizophrenia

Interventions

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Speech Disorders; Language Disorders; Communication Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Electric Stimulation Therapy; Therapeutics; Convulsive Therapy; Psychiatric Somatic Therapies; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Electroshock; Psychological Techniques

Study Officials

• Barry Gordon, M.D., Ph.D.

  Johns Hopkins University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2012
• First Posted: May 18, 2012
• Study Start: January 1, 2009
• Primary Completion: December 23, 2017
• Study Completion: March 2, 2023
• Last Updated: March 7, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-03

Locations

US (1)