The purpose of the study is to evaluate the use of a new brain stimulation tool called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a new technique used to stimulate the brain. The investigators believe that it may help to change brain function in individuals with anorexia nervosa. The brain stimulation occurs outside the head. The tDCS procedure involves applying a small amount of electrical current across the scalp, for a short period of time. This small electrical current is able to change the electrical activity inside areas of the brain. In the current study, the investigators will ask participants to complete computer-based brain training sessions. While participants do the brain training exercises, they will receive either real tDCS for "sham" tDCS. "Sham" tDCS means that participants might feel sensations like tingling or vibrations from the tDCS machine, but will not actually receive the electrical current. Investigators will also ask participants to complete several tests to assess changes in brain function. The information gained from this study will help investigators to understand how tDCS could be used to improve brain function and learning in individuals with anorexia nervosa.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Transcranial direct current stimulation, involving low-levels of electrical stimulation applied to the right and left DLPFC will be used in conjunction with cognitive training for 46 minutes.
Sham transcranial direct current stimulation, involving no electrical stimulation will be used in conjunction with cognitive training for 46 minutes.
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Number of participants with treatment-related adverse events as assessed by CTCAE v4.0 and rate of treatment dropout in treatment-seeking adults with AN receiving treatment in a residential treatment program for eating disorders.
Treatment-related adverse events will be assessed by CTCAE v4.0 criteria. Participant dropout will be examined in effort to evaluate whether individuals with AN will tolerate the procedures and remain in the study. This will be evinced by less than 20% dropout over the course of active tDCS and cognitive training.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Change from Baseline to End of Treatment Set-Shifting Task Performance Following 10-session tDCS + Cognitive Training Intervention Protocol.
Changes in cognitive flexibility will be assessed by examining differences between baseline and end of treatment performance on reversal learning task.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Change from Baseline to End of Treatment Resting State and Task-based Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Activation during Reversal Learning Task Following 10-session tDCS + Cognitive Training Intervention Protocol.
Changes in brain circuitry assessed during resting state and task-based fMRI will be assessed to examine whether active tDCS is associated with greater change in associated circuitry, as compared with sham tDCS.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year.
Change in Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) Scores from Baseline to End of Treatment
Change in eating disorder psychopathology, measured by the EDE, will be evaluated over the course of a 10-session tDCS + cognitive training intervention to determine whether tDCS is associated with significant change in eating pathology among individuals with Anorexia Nervosa.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.