Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Neuromodulation of Executive Function Across Neuropsychiatric Populations

Purpose

In the current study, the investigators aim to understand the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving executive function across neuropsychiatric populations known to have deficits in this cognitive domain.

Conditions

  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Substance Use Disorders

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 18 Years and 65 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Male and female outpatients 18-65 years of age 2. A diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Contraindication to tDCS: history or epilepsy, metallic implants in the head and neck, brain stimulators, vagus nerve stimulators, shunts, pacemakers, pregnancy. 2. Active substance dependence (except for tobacco and cannabis). 3. Pregnant or nursing females. 4. Inability to participate in testing procedures. 5. Additional exclusion criteria for healthy controls: 1. Diagnosis of psychiatric of neurological disorder 2. Ongoing treatment with any psychotropic medications.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
Single (Participant)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Traumatic Brain Injury 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Major Depressive Disorder 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Bipolar Disorder 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Schizophrenia 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Borderline Personality Disorder 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Experimental
Substance Use Disorder 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS
Active Comparator
Healthy Controls 		This group consists of individuals diagnosed with healthy controls. This group will undergo three sessions of tDCS: two active sessions and one sham session. The order of the sessions is randomized.
  • Device: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
    In tDCS, electrodes are applied on the scalp to transmit direct current at low current amplitudes.
    Other names:
    • tDCS

Recruiting Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts 02129
Contact:
Blake Andreou, BS
617-724-8780
bandreou@mgh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Joan Camprodon, MD, PhD, MPH
6177265348

Detailed Description

In the current study, the investigators aim to understand the role of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in improving executive function across neuropsychiatric populations known to have deficits in this cognitive domain. The investigators will select 8 relevant diagnostic categories: traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder. The study will also include a cohort of healthy controls for comparison.