The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on appetite control related brain regions.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is emerging tool for brain modulation in a variety of clinical conditions. In addition, recent neuroimaging studies suggest that modifying the activity of brain circuits involved in eating behavior could provide therapeutic benefits in obesity. The investigators aim to assess whether modulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLFPC) using tDCS, modifies behavioral response and brain activity while watching visually presented food cues in obese subjects. Subjects will receive tDCS two times, one is active stimulation and the other is sham stimulation. Both stimulations will be separated at least one week and the order of sham and active tDCS will be counterbalanced across subjects. Subjects will perform functional MRI experiments with visual food cues. Questionnaire with behavior measures, body compositions, blood tests will be performed.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
15
For active tDCS, a 2 mA current will be delivered for 20 minutes with 20 second up and down ramp times. The anodal electrode will be placed on the right DLPFC (F4; 10-20 EEG system), and the cathode electrode will be placed on the left DLPFC (F4;10-20 EEG system), which is known to be related to cognitive function. The electrodes used for tDCS are saline-soaked sponges (25 cm2).
Chungbuk National University
Cheongju-si, North Chungcheong, South Korea
Regional brain activity measured by blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal of functional MRI
3T MR scanner with Echo Planar Imaging(EPI) capability(Magnetom, Siemens Medical System)
Time frame: Immediately after intervention
Behavior outcomes on the visual analog scale
Hunger related visual analogue scale (VAS) - 8 items (Flint et al., 2000) Mood related visual analogue scale (VAS) - 16 items (Fregni et al., 2008)
Time frame: Immediately after intervention
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