NCT03886025

Combined Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Cognitive Training and Decision-making

The Use of Combined Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Cognitive Training to Modulate Decision-making in Healthy People

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Dr. Najat Khalifa · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study aims to (i) assess the effects of combined tDCS and cognitive training on decision-making on a trained task (Iowa Gambling Task; IGT); and (ii) test generalization to a closely related cognitive domain, namely motor impulsivity. It is hypothesized that combined anodal tDCS and cognitive training will result in more advantageous decisions and better impulse control than combined sham tDCS and cognitive training.

Detailed description

Impaired decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and risk has been implicated in maladaptive personality development and violent behaviour. There is a dearth of studies that examined the effects of combined tDCS and cognitive training on decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and risk. It is also unclear if these effects are generalizable to tasks in other domains such as response inhibition (motor impulsivity). To examine these issues further, a single blind parallel arms randomized controlled trial will be conducted, involving a sample of healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 40. This will entail applying either active or sham tDCS over the anterior frontal cortex (including the vm-PFC) while participants undertake decision-making training using the Iowa Gambling Task. Decision-making will be assessed using the IGT, which is a computerized gambling task used to assess decision-making under conditions of uncertainty and risk. IGT is sensitive to damage to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which is considered to play a key role in decision-making. Motor impulsivity will be measured using the Stop Signal Task (SST). The UPPS+P Impulsive Behaviour Scale will be used to index trait impulsivity. The Profile of Mood States will be used to measure state emotion before and after tDCS.

Conditions

• Impulsivity
• Decision Making

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Non-invasive brain stimulation
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive training	Iowa Gambling Task will be used for cognitive training
OTHER	Sham transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)	Non-invasive brain stimulation

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-09-15
• Primary completion: 2026-12-30
• Completion: 2026-12-30
• First posted: 2019-03-22
• Last updated: 2025-08-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada