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Target Engagement of the Early Auditory Processing Network by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

NCT02620267 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 14

Last updated 2020-05-07

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Individuals with schizophrenia have difficulties in functioning in the community. No one really knows what factors determine how well patients manage in the real world. The purpose of this pilot study is to try a new approach to improving a potential determinant of good community functioning, namely how we process sounds. Specifically, we propose to examine the benefit of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a new tool that is being developed as a safe and non-invasive neurostimulation method, for improving processing of sounds. Transcranial direct current stimulation involves placing a wet sponge electrode on the head and one on the arm. Electrical current from a device powered by a 9-volt battery will flow from one electrode to the other. A small portion of the current will pass through the skull and stimulate the brain. This procedure is non-invasive and painless and it results in increase or decrease of spontaneous neuronal firing in the brain. Neurons are brain cells that send electrochemical messages to each other. Its safety and beneficial effect on mental functions has been demonstrated in healthy individuals and several clinical populations.

The purpose of this study is to determine if transcranial direct current stimulation can effect how we process sounds.

Conditions

Interventions

DEVICE

tDCS Stimulation

Subjects will receive tDCS stimulation over the auditory cortex for 20 min. For anodal stimulation the anode electrodes will be placed over the auditory cortex. For cathodal stimulation, the cathode electrodes will be placed over the auditory cortex. For sham stimulation, the anode electrodes will be placed over the auditory cortex and current turned on for 30 sec before being turned off to simulate the sensation of active stimulation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

    lead FED

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
DEVICE_FEASIBILITY
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2015-12-15
Primary Completion
2018-12-30
Completion
2019-06-30

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Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02620267 on ClinicalTrials.gov