Modulation of Brain Oscillations Underlying Working Memory
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Active tACS, Placebo tACS.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Working Memory. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
State-dependent Modulation of Interactions of Theta and Gamma Rhythms in Working Memory
Overview
This study will use novel transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) protocols and electroencephalography (EEG) to modulate and measure brain oscillations that underlie working memory. tACS is a noninvasive method used to modulate the timing and patterns of brain rhythms via weak electric currents passed through electrodes on the scalp.
Detailed description
In this study, healthy adult individuals will perform a spatial working memory task as investigators record scalp EEG before and immediately after undergoing transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Each participant will complete four tACS sessions in randomized order: 1) theta-nested gamma tACS applied during active task periods, 2) theta-nested gamma tACS applied during passive (rest) periods, 3) gamma stimulation applied in phase with ongoing theta oscillations, and 4) placebo tACS. The different stimulation protocols will take place on different days. Therefore, participants will be expected to attend 4 in-person study visits at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
Interventions
- Device Active tACS
Active tACS will be administered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for approximately 25 minutes. - Device Placebo tACS
Placebo tACS will be administered over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for approximately 25 minutes.
Primary outcome measures
- Working memory accuracy [Time frame: 2 hours]
- Working memory accuracy under interference [Time frame: 2 hours]
- Theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling [Time frame: 2 hours]
- Fronto-parietal theta phase synchronization [Time frame: 2 hours]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Able to provide informed consent
- Fluent in English.
Exclusion criteria
- History of a neurological/psychiatric disorder
- Current use of psychotropic medications
- Current use of substances and drugs that were shown to affect tES (transcranial electrical stimulation) efficacy (dopamine altering drugs, nicotine, NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) antagonists/agonists, sodium/calcium channel blockers, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, GABAergic modulators and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)
- Contraindications for tACS (e.g., history of seizures, metallic implants in the head or neck, implanted brain stimulators, vagus nerve stimulators, pacemakers, pregnancy)
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging — Charlestown
Identifiers
NCT: NCT05923606 · 2023P001479