Evaluating tDCS Brain-stimulation in Depression Using MRI

Part of paid clinical trials in Los Angeles, California.

Sponsor
University of California, Los Angeles
Study ID
NCT05598034
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
20 Years - 55 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Left DLPFC tDCS — DEVICE
    This intervention involves placing non-invasive scalp-electrodes over the left DLPFC brain region to deliver a mild, tolerable electric current.
  • Right DLPFC tDCS — DEVICE
    This intervention involves placing non-invasive scalp-electrodes over the right DLPFC brain region to deliver a mild, tolerable electric current.
  • Cognitive task — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants will be asked to perform a 2-back working memory mental task alongside administered tDCS

Study Details

Patients, physicians, and those who fund depression research are keenly interested in depression treatments that do not involve taking medications. One promising candidate treatment is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a low-cost technique that involves placing electrodes on specific scalp locations and using a 9-volt battery to cause a small amount of electricity to pass through parts of the brain. Depending on the direction of electrical flow, tDCS can make brain cells (neurons) more likely or less likely to generate their own electrical signals. When evaluated as a treatment, tDCS is typically done in daily sessions over a period of two weeks. One of the challenges of tDCS is to work out the best possible positioning of electrodes and direction of electricity flow to gradually cause lasting changes in brain activity in ways that might be expected to improve depression. To address this challenge, the investigators are using MRI to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. This data will help us better understand the short-term effects of tDCS in depression and help us learn how to customize future treatments to cause a lasting beneficial response. Patients with depression between the ages of 20-55 years are eligible to take part in this research. Potential participants will undergo: 1. An assessment to confirm eligibility. This will take place over a secure videoconference call lasting no more than 3 hours. 2. Two in-person study visits lasting 30 min and 2-1/2 hours respectively. In the first visit, the investigators will use the MRI to take a picture of the brain and head structure to determine appropriate locations for placing the tDCS electrodes at the start of the second visit. Following electrode placement, an MRI scan will be performed to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. Depending on the study arm, 1. Participants may receive 'active' or 'sham' tDCS. The 'sham' condition is identical to the 'active' tDCS in every way except that it involves minimal tDCS and is designed to help rule out effects unrelated to the administered tDCS electricity. 2. Participants may also be asked to perform a mental task during MRI.

Key Dates

Start date
Oct 20, 2022
Status verified
Jun 2026
Primary completion
Apr 1, 2028
Completion
May 1, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
144 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Left DLPFC tDCS
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive tDCS at the left DLPFC brain region.
  • Experimental: Left DLPFC tDCS + task
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive tDCS at the left DLPFC brain region. Additionally, participants will be asked to perform a mental task (2-back working memory) at the same time.
  • Experimental: Right DLPFC tDCS
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive tDCS at the right DLPFC brain region.
  • Experimental: Right DLPFC tDCS + task
    Participants randomized to this arm will receive tDCS at the right DLPFC brain region. Additionally, participants will be asked to perform a mental task (2-back working memory) at the same time.

Primary Outcome Measure

Activity changes in the dorso-fronto-limbic brain network [ Time Frame: Within the 2.5 hour fMRI session ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)Los AngelesCalifornia90095
Mayank A Jog, PhD
[email protected]
4242886483

Find similar trials in Los Angeles, CA

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)· Los Angeles, CA

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