The aim of this study is to investigate whether a tDCS-accompanied training of audio-visual associative memory leads to a performance improvement in healthy older individuals.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
10
Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Performance in a verbal associative learning paradigm under anodal tDCS compared to sham tDCS.
Investigation whether anodal tDCS leads to improved performance accuracy in the Wernicko task compared to sham stimulation.
Time frame: Performance is assessed within 1 day immediately after training period (several learning blocks) compared to sham
Functional connectivity predictors
Connectivity as measured by resting-state fMRI during baseline as predictors for performance and tDCS responsiveness
Time frame: assessed during baseline testing
Structural predictors
Microstructure of white matter (Fractional Anisotropy) as measured by diffusion tensor imaging during baseline as predictors for performance and tDCS responsiveness
Time frame: assessed during baseline testing
Genotyping of learning related polymorphisms
To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed.
Time frame: assessed during baseline screening
Other cognitive outcomes: Attention performance
Digit span forward performance assessed before and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on attention
Time frame: Performance is assessed within 1 day before and after tDCS + training compared to sham
Other cognitive outcomes: working memory
Digit span backwards performance assessed before and after stimulation to test for tDCS effects on working memory
Time frame: Performance is assessed within 1 day before and after tDCS + training compared to sham
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