Impact of tDCS on Emotional Processing in Healthy Subjects.

Summary

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a key part in emotional processing and regulation.

Emotions continually influence other cognitive functions such as attentional resources .Emotions also influence a subject's automatic physiological responses .

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an innovative neuro-modulation treatment, often used in major depression.

Various studies have shown that it is possible to modulate emotional processing in healthy subjects, however the impact of this modulation on attentional resources and physiological responses has not been studied. Also, the mechanisms of action of the tDCS on emotional processing are still unclear.

It is necessary to explore the modulation of the DLPFC in healthy subjects in order to better understand the network and mechanisms at stake in the processes.

Thus, investigators plan to study the modulation of the DLPFC (left and right) by tDCS (anode, cathode and placebo) on the processing of emotions and the impact on attentional resources, and physiological responses.

Conditions

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Interventions

DEVICE

tDCS Anode session

The aim of this unique anode tDCS session is to study the possibility of enhancing emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses in healthy subjects. The arm will be compared to the other 2, enabling us to compare different tDCS stimulation modes. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system).

DEVICE

tDCS Cathode session

The aim of this unique cathode tDCS session is to study the possibility of inhibiting or altering emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses in healthy subjects. This arm will be compared to the other 2, enabling us to compare different tDCS stimulation modes. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Cathode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and anode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system).

DEVICE

tDCS Placebo session

This arm will help compare the effects of stimulation versus no stimulation on emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hôpital le Vinatier

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• HAESEBAERT FREDERIC, PH · Vinatier Hospital

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-07-16

Primary Completion

2019-02-12

Completion

2019-02-12

Countries

• France

Study Locations