MRI-tDCS Criticism Study

February 5, 2026 updated by: Sara De Witte, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

The Impact of tDCS on Substrates of Emotion Processing Using fMRI in Healthy Volunteers

This experimental study investigated how MRI-compatible transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) modulates neural and cognitive responses to social criticism in healthy volunteers.

Participants underwent two MRI sessions - one with active and one with sham stimulation - in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design.

During stimulation, they completed resting-state and task-based fMRI scans including exposure to critical, neutral, and praising auditory comments, followed by behavioral and self-report measures of rumination, mood, and implicit self-esteem.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study aimed to examine the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on emotional and self-referential processing. Healthy right-handed female participants completed two identical MRI sessions separated by at least 48 hours and a maximum of 2 weeks. The localization of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was determined during the first session. Anatomical data were first acquired using a high-resolution T1-weighted structural scan. Participants were then briefly removed from the MRI scanner to define the stimulation target using two complementary methods: (1) the standard scalp position F3 according to the 10-20 international EEG system, and (2) an individualized neuronavigation procedure targeting the mid-center of the left middle frontal gyrus (Brodmann areas 9/46) based on each participant's structural MRI. For the actual tDCS sessions, only the neuronavigation-derived DLPFC target was used for electrode placement.

In each session, participants received either active or sham MRI-compatible tDCS (1.5 mA, 20 minutes) applied over the left DLPFC with the cathode placed over the contralateral supra-orbital region. The order of stimulation (active vs. sham) was randomized and counterbalanced. The location of the DLPFC electrode placement was based During fMRI, participants completed multiple scans: a T1 structural scan, resting-state sequences (pre-, during-, and post-stimulation), resting-state sequences (pre-, during-, and post-auditory criticism task with blocks of critical, neutral, and praising comments), and an arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion sequence.

Self-report measures of state rumination (Momentary Ruminative Self-focus Inventory, MRSI) and mood (visual analogue scales) were collected before and after stimulation and after the criticism paradigm. An implicit self-esteem task (Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure, IRAP) followed the MRI session. Trait questionnaires and a blood sample for DNA (e.g. 5-HTTLPR) analysis were collected at baseline only.

The primary goal was to assess whether active tDCS modulates neural and behavioral markers of self-referential processing and emotional regulation compared with sham stimulation.

No serious adverse events occurred during the study. Minor sensations (tingling, mild scalp discomfort) were transient and self-limited.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
47

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Belgium
    • Oost-Vlaanderen
      • Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium, 9000
        • UZ Gent

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Female participants aged 18-35 years.
  • Right-handed, healthy volunteers.
  • No current or past psychiatric or neurological disorder as assessed by structured clinical interview (M.I.N.I.).
  • MRI-compatible (no metal implants, pacemaker, or contraindications for MRI scanning).
  • Not taking psychotropic medication.
  • Fluent in Dutch.
  • Provided written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current or past major depressive episode or any other psychiatric disorder.
  • History of epilepsy or seizures in participant
  • History of neurological illness or neurosurgical intervention.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Claustrophobia or inability to tolerate MRI environment.
  • Metal implants or other MRI-incompatible devices.
  • Skin lesions or dermatological conditions at electrode sites.
  • Unstable medical condition.
  • Use of medication that could influence brain activity or mood.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Active tDCS
Participants receive MRI-compatible transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) using a NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MR. A constant current of 1.5 mA is applied for 20 minutes with the anodal electrode positioned over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using neuronavigation and the cathodal electrode positioned over the contralateral supra-orbital area. Stimulation is delivered while participants are in the MRI scanner.
Device: tDCS
Participants are randomized to receive either active or sham tDCS during MRI scanning. Neuroimaging and behavioral outcomes are used to assess the effects of stimulation on emotion-related brain networks.
Placebo Comparator: Sham tDCS
Participants receive sham MRI-compatible transcranial direct current stimulation using a NeuroConn DC-Stimulator MR. The electrodes are positioned identically to the active condition. The current is ramped up and down during the first 30 seconds to mimic the initial sensation of stimulation, after which no current is delivered for the remainder of the 20-minute session. Stimulation is administered while participants are in the MRI scanner.
Device: tDCS
Participants are randomized to receive either active or sham tDCS during MRI scanning. Neuroimaging and behavioral outcomes are used to assess the effects of stimulation on emotion-related brain networks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in perfusion
Time Frame: Baseline; during tDCS; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Cerebral blood flow measured using arterial spin labeling (ASL) functional MRI before and after tDCS and after the criticism paradigm.

Unit of Measure: mL/100 g/min
Baseline; during tDCS; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Neural reactivity to praise and criticism
Time Frame: Periprocedural

Blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal change during blocks of praising, neutral, and critical comments measured using task-based fMRI.

Unit of Measure: Percent signal change (or beta values from the general linear model)
Periprocedural
Resting-state functional connectivity within emotion-regulation networks
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Functional connectivity strength between prefrontal and limbic regions measured using resting-state fMRI before, during, and after tDCS.

Unit of Measure: Fisher-z transformed correlation coefficients
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in momentary rumination
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Momentary rumination assessed using the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ).

Unit of Measure: PTQ total score. A higher score means more rumination.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Implicit self-esteem (Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure, IRAP)
Time Frame: Baseline and post tDCS

Implicit self-esteem assessed using the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP).

Unit of Measure: D-IRAP score (reaction-time-based index): D-IRAP score (typically ranging approximately from -2 to +2)
Baseline and post tDCS
Spatial deviation between targeting methods
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Euclidean distance between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) target coordinates derived from EEG 10-20 F3 positioning and MRI-based neuronavigation.

Unit of Measure: Millimeters (mm)
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Mood ratings-tension
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Self-reported tension measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more tensed.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Momentary mood ratings - fatigue
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Self-reported fatigue measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Unit of Measure:Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more fatigued.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Momentary mood ratings - vigor
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Self-reported vigor measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more vigor.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Momentary mood ratings - anger
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Self-reported anger measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more anger.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Momentary mood ratings - depressed mood
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Self-reported depressed mood measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more depressed mood.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)
Momentary mood ratings - cheerfulness
Time Frame: Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Self-reported cheerfulness measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Unit of Measure: Score on a 0-10 scale. A higher score means more cheerfulness.
Baseline; immediately post-tDCS; and immediately post-criticism paradigm (single study visit)

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Serotonin transporter genotype
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Serotonin transporter promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) determined from baseline DNA samples.

Unit of Measure: Genotype category (e.g., LL, LS, SS)
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI)
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Temperament and character traits assessed using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI).

Unit of Measure: TCI-240 true/false items. Temperament traits assessed using the TCI (NS, HA, RD, P subscales) and Character traits assessed using the TCI (SD, C, ST subscales).

TCI subscale scores (NS 0-40; HA 0-35; RD 0-24; P 0-8; SD 0-44; C 0-42; ST 0-33)

Higher scores indicate greater expression of that trait.
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Perceived criticism sensitivity
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Perceived criticism assessed using the Perceived Criticism Measure (PCM), a single-item rating of how critical a significant other is perceived to be.

Unit of Measure: PCM score (range 1-10; higher scores indicate greater perceived criticism)
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Trait anxiety
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Trait anxiety assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait version (STAI-T).

Unit of Measure: STAI-T total score (range 20-80; higher scores indicate greater trait anxiety).
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Explicit self-esteem
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Explicit self-esteem assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).

Unit of Measure: RSES total score (range 10-40; higher scores indicate higher self-esteem).
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Psychological inflexibility
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Psychological inflexibility assessed using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II).

Unit of Measure: AAQ-II total score (range 7-49; higher scores indicate greater psychological inflexibility)
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Cognitive emotion regulation strategies
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Cognitive emotion regulation strategies assessed using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ).

Unit of Measure:Cognitive emotion regulation strategies assessed using the CERQ, reported as subscale scores. CERQ subscale scores each ranging 4-20. A higher score means less Cognitive emotion regulation strategies.
Baseline (prior to any intervention)
Trait rumination
Time Frame: Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Trait rumination assessed using the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS).

Unit of Measure: RRS total score (range 22-88; higher scores indicate greater trait rumination).
Baseline (prior to any intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University Ghent

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 9, 2013

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 2, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 2, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
November 26, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 5, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Approved by UZ Gent EC

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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