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Mod of Cognitive Flexibility by tDCS, Tyrosine Polymorphisms in the COMT Gene

NCT03845920 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 32

Last updated 2019-04-04

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The current study would examine whether increases in endogenous dopaminergic activity via tyrosine and the (presumed) excitation of these by anodal tDCS of the dlPFC could causally be related to cognitive flexibility as measured by task switching and reversal learning.

Additionally, the study will test whether the Val158Met-polymorphism in the catechol- O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene could also predict the effect of TYR supplementation, as this gene is involved in DA degradation in the prefrontal cortex.

Conditions

  • Modulation of Cognitive Flexibility by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Tyrosine Administration and Polymorphisms in the COMT Gene

Interventions

COMBINATION_PRODUCT

tdcs (sham/anodal) + drug (placebo/tyrosine)

tDCS= A DC Stimulator Plus (neuroConn, Germany) with one 5 cm x 7 cm rubber electrode (anode) and a 10 cm x 10 cm (cathode; reference electrode), encased in saline soaked sponges will be used. The anode will be positioned over the left dlPFC, centered on F3 in the 10e20 electroencephalography (EEG) system, while the cathode on the contralateral supraorbital ridge (Fp2).Current will be delivered at 1.5mA for 20 min plus 30 s fade in/fade out periods.For sham stimulation, the current will be faded in over 30 s, at 1.5mA and then will be switched off. Drugs= 2.0 g of L-Tyrosine and 2.0 g of the placebo microcrystalline cellulose will be dissolved in 400ml of orange juice as per previously published protocols.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sheffield Hallam University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Luca Aquili, Ph.D. · Sheffield Hallam University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2019-02-18
Primary Completion
2019-09-30
Completion
2019-09-30

Countries

  • United Kingdom

Study Locations

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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 NCT03845920 on ClinicalTrials.gov