Evaluating the modulatory effects of tACS on frontal brain asymmetry, behavior and mood.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Other condition
Synonym
Health condition
fundamenteel onderzoek bij gezonde vrijwilligers
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Beta (13-30 Hz) oscillations as being assessed by four minute background EEG
recorded from 32 scalp locations according to the International 10-20 EEG
System using Ag-AgCl-tipped electrodes.
Secondary outcome
Cerebral physiology: Motor evoked potentials to single and paired-pulse
transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to examine brain asymmetry
by measuring intracortical inhibition/facilitation of the left and right
hemisphere and interhemispheric connectivity;
Behavior and mood: Selective attention for emotional faces using the validated
emotional Stroop task and mood using the 20-item Profile of Mood States (POMS)
questionnaire.
Background summary
There is evidence from the scientific literature to assume a relationship
between a frontal asymmetry in brain activity and cognitive emotional
information processing associated with mood. Transcranial alternating current
stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive and safe method that applies weak
electrical currents to diretly modulate brain activity. This technique is
highly suitable for studying the direct relations between frontal asymmetry,
cogntive processing and mood. The present study will not only broaden our
understanding of the workings of the cerebral cortex, but may also contribute
to the development of alternative biological inspired intervention to treat
mood disorders such as depression.
Study objective
Evaluating the modulatory effects of tACS on frontal brain asymmetry, behavior
and mood.
Study design
Placebo controlled double-blind cross-over design.
The experiment consits of one intake and three test sessions.
During the first session the participants will receive written an oral
information. If the participants agrees to participate informed consent will be
obtained. Next, a standard health- and safety-screening list will be
administered to check for contra-indications to non-invasive brain stimulation.
Right handedness will be assessed with the Edinburgh questionnaire and
individual motor thresholds from the left and right primary motor cortex will
be determined. Finally, a 4-minute resting state recording electroencephalogram
(EEG) recording will be made to verify left dominant frontal activity in the
beta frequency range (20 Hz).
On test days participants will fill out a mood inventory questionnaire and a
4-minute resting state EEG will be administered. Next, participants will
undergo tACS for 15 minutes. Afterwards, participants will be asked to fill out
the mood inventory questionnaire again and a second 4 minute EEG will be
obtained. In the final part of the test day, participants will undergo
paired-pulse TMS and a selective attention task in which participants have to
name the color of facial expressions.
Intervention
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) will be delivered by a
battery-driven constant DC current stimulator (Eldith DC Stimulator (CE 0118),
Ilmenau) using a pair of electrodes (35 cm^2) over the left and right frontal
hemisphere on three separate occasions: (1) Beta tACS (20 Hz, 2 mA/ 35 cm^2, 15
min); (2) Delta tACS (1 Hz, 2 mA/ 35 cm^2, 15 min); (3) Placebo tACS (0 mA/ 35
cm^2, 15 min).
Study burden and risks
The currently proposed tACS procedure and the paired-pulse TMS paradigms are
safe and do not carry any significant risks. Safety guidelines will be followed
to acertain participant's safety. Potential side-effects of tACS and TMS are
tingling semsation under the electrodes, muscle tension and headache. These are
generally mild discomforts that respond promptly to paracetamol (500mg).
Volunteers can withdraw from the study at any given time and there are no
direct benefits for the participants. The risk that the current application of
the techniques as described in this protocol is neglegible (Nitsche et al.
Brain Stimulation 2008 1 206-223: Rossi et al. Clin Neurophysiol. 2009 120
2008-39).
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525HR
NL
Montessorilaan 3
Nijmegen 6525HR
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
18-35 Years of age, non smoking, right-handed, left dominant frontal brain activity in the beta band (20 Hz)
Exclusion criteria
Skin disease, metal in cranium, use of psychotropic drugs, including cannabis, XTC, amphetamines and cocaine, epilepsy or family history of epilepsy, history of closed-head injury, history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, medication use (i.e., benzodiazepines, antidepressants and neuroleptica), cardiac pacemaker, electronic hearing devices, pregnancy.
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL38020.041.11 |