In this study, the investigators aim to understand the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in modulating aberrant neurocognitive processes implicated in pediatric patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
In this study, the investigators aim to understand the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in modulating aberrant neurocognitive processes implicated in pediatric patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The investigators propose two arms of the study that will investigate fear extinction learning and inhibitory control in one arm (A), and goal orientated versus habit-based behavior and inhibitory control in the other (B). All subjects will undergo three study conditions: two with active tDCS to each of two different brain targets and one under sham tDCS. The order of stimulation (sham or active tDCS) will be randomized.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
6
In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Change in Stop Signal Task
Ability to Inhibit a Response Task For the stop-signal task, the outcome of inhibitory control is measured by the stop signal reaction time (SSRT), calculated by subtracting the stop signal delay (SSD) from the go signal response time (RT).
Time frame: 50 minutes- 20 minutes before and immediately after a single 30 minute tDCS session
Change in Fear Extinction Recall Task
Degree of recall to a previously extinguished conditioned stimulus.
Time frame: Within 12-24 hours after the tDCS session the day before
Change in Model-Based Index on the Two-stage Sequential Reinforcement Learning Task (Sequential Spaceship Task)
Decision-making task that quantifies the relative contribution of model-based (goal-directed) vs model-free (habit-based) choice strategies. The Model-Based Index, is derived from each participant's probability of repeating their first-stage choice on the following trial, computed separately for four combinations of prior-trial outcome (rewarded or unrewarded) and transition type (common or rare): (stay probability after rewarded-common trials minus stay probability after rewarded-rare trials) plus (stay probability after unrewarded-rare trials minus stay probability after unrewarded-common trials). The index ranges from -2.0 to 2.0. A score near 0 indicates choices driven primarily by recent reward history regardless of transition type (model-free/habit-based responding), while higher positive scores indicate choices that are additionally sensitive to the task's transition structure (model-based/goal-directed responding). Higher scores means greater degree of goal-directed control.
Time frame: 40 minutes- immediately before and 10 minutes after a 30 minute single tDCS session
Change in EEG Readings
Degree and type of change in event related potentials (ERPs) amplitudes.
Time frame: 90 minutes- 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a single 30 minute tDCS session
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