tACS and tRNS Studies on Brain Control of Swallowing

Summary

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) are two (CE marked medical devices) new, non-invasive (over the scalp) brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques. Both tACS and tRNS deliver a weak current continuously across the brain using pads placed over the scalp, which has been shown safe and well-tolerated by healthy adults and patients. These two techniques are able to softly alter physiological function within the brain. tACS can influence the brainwaves which have been demonstrated to play important roles in movement, sensation, and thinking functions. tACS and tRNS have been investigated for several years and have been shown to be safe, well tolerated and produce beneficial results in hand movement, hearing, and working memory.

Swallowing problems are life-threatening symptom among patients with brain impairments and elderly people. Until now, there are no studies investigating whether tACS and tRNS can have a beneficial effect on swallowing function in human. Our aim is to examine the effects of different strengths of tACS and tRNS to determine the best approach for brain stimulation that controls swallowing action, before using these techniques in patients with (neurological) swallowing disorders.

Participants: Healthy adults who are aged 18 years old or above with no medical complications or significant past medical history will be recruited in the study.

Conditions

• Dysphagia
• Swallowing Disorder

Interventions

DEVICE

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) are two (CE marked medical devices) new, non-invasive (over the scalp) brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques. Both tACS and tRNS deliver a weak current continuously across the brain using pads placed over the scalp, which has been shown safe and well-tolerated by healthy adults and patients. These two techniques are able to softly alter physiological function within the brain. tACS can influence the brainwaves which have been demonstrated to play important roles in movement, sensation, and thinking functions. tACS and tRNS have been investigated for several years and have been shown to be safe, well tolerated and produce beneficial results in hand movement, hearing, and working memory.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manchester

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shaheen Hamdy, MD,PhD · GI-sciences, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, University of Manchester

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-05-03

Primary Completion

2019-11-15

Completion

2020-03-18

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations