Insufficient cognitive control over emotional distracters is characteristic for major depressive disorder (MDD). Hypoactivation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is associated with this deficit. In this study the investigators assess the effect of a decrease of dlPFC activity in healthy subjects by cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive control. In a double-blinded, balanced randomized, sham-controlled crossover trial the investigators determine the effect of a single-session of cathodal tDCS to the left dlPFC on cognitive control in healthy subjects. To assess the cognitive control the investigators use a delayed response working memory task (DWM)and an arithmetic inhibition task (AIT) with pictures of varying valence.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
28
Cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 20min, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) 40s, 1mA, F3 (EEG 10/20), reference right M. deltoideus
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen
Tübingen, Germany
Correctness and reaction time of response
Correctness is defined as the percentage of correct responses in the DWM and AIT
Time frame: Within 30 min starting 5 min after the initiation of stimulation
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