NCT03286075

Impact of tDCS on Emotional Processing in Healthy Subjects.

Impact of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Emotional Processing in Healthy Subjects.

• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 2 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hôpital le Vinatier · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a key part in emotional processing and regulation. Emotions continually influence other cognitive functions such as attentional resources .Emotions also influence a subject's automatic physiological responses . Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an innovative neuro-modulation treatment, often used in major depression. Various studies have shown that it is possible to modulate emotional processing in healthy subjects, however the impact of this modulation on attentional resources and physiological responses has not been studied. Also, the mechanisms of action of the tDCS on emotional processing are still unclear. It is necessary to explore the modulation of the DLPFC in healthy subjects in order to better understand the network and mechanisms at stake in the processes. Thus, investigators plan to study the modulation of the DLPFC (left and right) by tDCS (anode, cathode and placebo) on the processing of emotions and the impact on attentional resources, and physiological responses.

Detailed description

To study the modulation of the DLPFC (left and right) by tDCS (anode, cathode and placebo) on the processing of emotions and the impact on attentional resources, and physiological responses, subjects will undertake 3 tasks before and after a unique tDCS session of 30 minutes. The first task is a facial expression recognition task, the second measures the attentional processing of emotional information ("Free-viewing task") and the last task focuses on working memory (digit sorting task). Each task has its cognitive variables but physiological responses will also be measured during each task before and after the tDCS session (Eye movement, i.e. Pupil dilatation and time spent on region of interest; heart rate, skin conductance and respiratory frequency). 3 arms will take part in the study: Anode tDCS Cathode tDCS Placebo tDCS These 3 types of tDCS stimulation will enable us to study the different modulations possible for the DLPFC and the impact on all the variables previously mentioned.

Conditions

• Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	tDCS Anode session	The aim of this unique anode tDCS session is to study the possibility of enhancing emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses in healthy subjects. The arm will be compared to the other 2, enabling us to compare different tDCS stimulation modes. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system).
DEVICE	tDCS Cathode session	The aim of this unique cathode tDCS session is to study the possibility of inhibiting or altering emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses in healthy subjects. This arm will be compared to the other 2, enabling us to compare different tDCS stimulation modes. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Cathode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and anode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system).
DEVICE	tDCS Placebo session	This arm will help compare the effects of stimulation versus no stimulation on emotional processing, attentional resources and physiological responses. Stimulation will be performed using a tDCS stimulator (Neuroconn or Neuroelectric tDCS stimulator) with two 7×5 cm (35 cm2) sponge electrodes soaked in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) Anode will be placed over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F3 according to the international EEG system) and cathode over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (F4 according to the international EEG system)

Timeline

• Start date: 2018-07-16
• Primary completion: 2019-02-12
• Completion: 2019-02-12
• First posted: 2017-09-18
• Last updated: 2020-10-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: France