Predictors of Probabilistic Selection Task Performance

NCT04798105 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: CDULA2021
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The project aims to investigate whether tDCS has an effect on reward and punishment learning sensitivity. Further, whether tDCS will modulate extraversion and impulsivity personality traits, and eye-blink-rate's effect on learning. For instance, trait extroversion in past research is linked to the dopamine neurotransmitter system, where it is thought that extreme low and high levels are detrimental to cognitive performance. Since tDCS has been shown to increase dopamine levels, it is thought that people who are already high in dopamine may experience less benefit (or even impairment) on cognitive performance following tDCS.

Conditions

Learning; Lack of (Specific)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Probabilistic Selection Task (PST) performance from pre tDCS to post tDCS

  Accuracy (%) and reaction times on the above task

  PST is tested prior to tDCS administration at time 0 (baseline) and following tDCS (approximately 50 minutes into the experiment) for both tDCS sham and tDCS anodal

Study Arms (2)

tDCS sham

SHAM COMPARATOR

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in sham mode.

Behavioral: Effects of tDCS of dlPFC on Probabilistic Selection Task

tDCS anodal

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in anodal/excitatory mode.

Behavioral: Effects of tDCS of dlPFC on Probabilistic Selection Task

Interventions

Effects of tDCS of dlPFC on Probabilistic Selection Task BEHAVIORAL

Predictors of Probabilistic Selection Task Performance including anodal tDCS of dlPFC, eye blink rate, extraversion and impulsiveness

tDCS anodal; tDCS sham

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Either male or female
• You are aged between 18 and 50 years
• You are in good health
• You agree to fast 3 hours prior to testing

You may not qualify if:

• Suffer from cardiac, hepatic, renal, and/or neurological disorders
• Have damaged or diseased skin on your face and scalp, or a sensitive scalp
• Have a history of alcohol or drug addiction, or severe psychiatric illness
• Are receiving drug treatment which may lower seizure threshold (i.e. epilepsy)
• Are pregnant
• Are sleep deprived (less than 6 hours a day)
• Have metallic dental fillings, orthodontic appliances, a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, and/or surgical clips
• Have a history of migraine or headaches

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Charles Darwin University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Charles Darwin University, College of Health & Human Sciences

Darwin, Northern Territory, 0810, Australia

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Luca Aquili, PhD

CONTACT

+61088946; luca.aquili@cdu.edu.au

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer (B) in Psychology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 9, 2021
• First Posted: March 15, 2021
• Study Start: April 12, 2021
• Primary Completion: October 22, 2021
• Study Completion: October 22, 2021
• Last Updated: July 28, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AU (1)