Traveling-wave Transcranial Electric Stimulation

N/AActive Not RecruitingNCT05399381

University of Minnesota30 enrolled

Overview

This study will assess the impact of traveling wave transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on working memory performance in adults.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can non-invasively alter neuroelectric activity in the brain by applying weak time-varying electric currents via the scalp. Complex patterns of electric brain activity can take the form of traveling waves - spatially coherent brain rhythms that gradually propagate through the neocortex. Traveling waves are crucial for the temporal coordination of informational flow in the brain. Using the novel traveling-wave transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) approach, the investigators will explore the effects of frontal-to-parietal and parietal-to-frontal traveling waves on working memory performance and brain electrophysiology in adults.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Working Memory

Interventions

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)DEVICE

Non-invasive, multi-electrode transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over frontal and parietal brain areas.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 18 and 45 years old. 2. Confident level of English language. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History or evidence of chronic neurological or mental disorder. 2. Metal or electric implant in the head, neck, or chest area. 3. History of head injuries with loss of consciousness. 4. Any acute or chronic medical condition that requires ongoing pharmacological treatment. 5. Pregnancy or breast-feeding. 6. Alcohol or drug addiction.

Locations (1)

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in working memory performance

Changes in working memory performance (% of correct responses) as measured with the standardized N-back working memory task during active stimulation relative to pre-stimulation performance.

Time frame: Immediate effect during stimulation

Secondary Outcomes

Changes in reaction time

Changes in reaction time (milliseconds) as measured using the standardized N-back working memory task during active stimulation relative to pre-stimulation performance.

Time frame: Immediate effect during stimulation

Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) connectivity

Changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) connectivity in theta band (in normalized units) after transcranial electric stimulation relative to pre-stimulation periods.

Time frame: Five minutes post-stimulation

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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