Menu
Recruiting NCT07168031

tDCS of the Left dlPFC: Effects on Information Processing

No phase Interventional Healthy

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 Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Healthy. Basic parameters: 20 years — 80 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
Switzerland
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Neural and Age-Related Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Left dlPFC During Information Processing

Overview

This study investigates how a non-invasive form of brain stimulation, called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), affects brain activity and information processing in younger and older adults. The stimulation uses a very weak electrical current applied through electrodes placed on the scalp. This method is safe and widely used in research to study brain function. Participants will complete computer-based tasks while receiving either active brain stimulation or a placebo (sham) stimulation. The task is designed to engage specific mental processes so that the investigators can study how the brain responds under different conditions. Brain activity will be measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), both while participants perform the tasks and while they are resting. The study will compare healthy younger (ages 20-40) and older (ages 60-80) adults to explore whether age influences how the brain responds to stimulation. By examining patterns of brain activation and connectivity, the investigators aim to better understand how tDCS can modulate cognitive processing across the adult lifespan. The hypothesis is that applying tDCS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex will change patterns of brain activity related to cognitive processing, and that these changes may differ between younger and older adults. This knowledge could help inform future research into brain stimulation techniques in different age groups.

Interventions

  • Device Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
    High definition tDCS will be applied, using a Soterix Medical device and 4x1 ring electrodes. A centre ring electrode overlying the target cortical region (left dlPFC at position F3 according to the 10-20 system) will be surrounded by four return electrodes (position F1, FC3, F5, and AF3).
  • Device Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
    The same setup and device as in the active tDCS group will be used, but in this case stimulation will be turned off after a ramp-up phase of 30 seconds. This mimics the same sensory feeling as active tDCS.

Primary outcome measures

  • Task Accuracy [Time frame: During the intervention]
  • Task-Related Brain Activation [Time frame: During the intervention]
  • Resting-State Functional Connectivity [Time frame: Immediately before and after the intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
  • Task Reaction Time [Time frame: During the intervention]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy younger adults (ages 20-40) or healthy older adults (ages 60-80)
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing
  • Right-handed (for consistency in brain stimulation)
  • Able to give written informed consent and comply with study procedures

Exclusion criteria

  • History of neurological or psychiatric disorders
  • Current use of medications that affect the central nervous system
  • Metal implants, pacemakers, or other contraindications for MRI or tDCS
  • History of seizures or epilepsy
  • Pregnancy
  • Participation in another brain stimulation study within the last 3 months
  • Any condition judged by investigators to interfere with safe participation

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
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double blind
Primary purpose
Basic science

Study locations

Switzerland · 1 center
  • University of Bern, Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy — Bern

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07168031 · 50012

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗