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Mechanism of Action of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Neurofibromatosis Type 1

NCT04991428 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 31

Last updated 2021-08-05

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Intellectual impairment, particularly working memory deficits are a significant cause of morbidity in children with Neurofibromatosis type (NF1) with long-term implications on academic and occupational functioning. Whilst significant discoveries have been made in Nf1 animal models in trying to find treatments for these conditions, human translational studies have not been successful. This mechanistic experimental study will investigate the neural mechanisms underlying working memory deficits in NF1. In particular, we will investigate how individual differences in inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA relate to performance on working memory tests. Further, we will investigate the use of a novel, experimental intervention called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS);known to modulate GABA. Using a randomized, crossover design in a cohort of 30 adolescents aged 11-17 years, we will apply real or sham tDCS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). State-of-art real time imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and task based functional MRI (fMRI) will be used to investigate the effect of tDCS on GABA concentration, changes in functional plasticity and working memory. We expect that results from this study will help elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying working memory deficits in people with NF1 and show biologic activity for a novel, low-cost intervention that can be used for cognitive remediation in NF1. This kind of focused mechanism trial method is a highly promising approach to understanding the complex neural system pathology in a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition like NF1.

Conditions

  • Neurofibromatosis 1

Interventions

OTHER

Transcranial direct current stimulation

tDCS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation. tDCS is an established research tool for non-invasive modulation of neuroplasticity. It uses low-intensity DC currents to modulate spontaneous neuronal network activity by altering the resting membrane potential. Anodal tDCS has been shown to increase cortical excitability, reduce regional levels of GABA enhance LTP and synaptic plasticity.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Manchester

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Model
CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age
11 Years
Max Age
17 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2019-02-22
Primary Completion
2020-02-19
Completion
2020-02-19

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 NCT04991428 on ClinicalTrials.gov