Direct Current Brain Polarization of the Frontal Lobes

Direct Current Brain Polarization of Bilateral Prefrontal Cortex

This study will explore what effects, if any, direct current (DC) brain polarization may produce on mental processes, such as attention, reaction time, working memory, speed of information processing and mood or emotional states. In DC brain polarization, a very weak electrical current is applied to the head. This technique has been used for many years on patients and healthy people with no known serious side effects. Studies have shown that DC polarization can temporarily improve people's ability to think of certain words. To determine if DC polarization can be used as a treatment for certain types of brain disorders, its possible effects on mood and other mental abilities must be determined.

Healthy normal volunteers over age 18 may be eligible for this study.

In each of three 1.5-hour sessions scheduled a day apart, participants complete the tasks listed below to determine the effects of polarization. For each session, electrodes are placed on the head, arm, and hand. One set of electrodes is for brain stimulation; the second set is used to measure the amount of skin moisture on the hand. The participants' tasks are to:

• Push a button on a keyboard when they see a specific item.
• Circle a number or make a mark on a line to indicate how much they feel a particular emotion or sensation at that time.
• Answer questions about themselves, or their opinions on certain topics.
• Look at several pictures and say how emotional they think they are.
• Read about an imaginary situation and say what they would do in that situation.
• Choose between decks of cards to try to win money.
• Compare the angles of lines.
• Identify smells, using a scratch and sniff test.
• At the end of the session, say how they are feeling.

Participants are called by phone on the day after each session to see how they are feeling.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: DC Polarization

Detailed Description

Objective: The principal objective is to establish the safety and feasibility of bilateral direct current (DC) polarization of the frontal lobes, which may be a useful modality for treatment of frontal lobe cognitive or behavioral deficits. Our secondary objective is to gather preliminary data on whether DC can modulate cognitive and emotion-related functions of the frontal lobes in healthy individuals. Study population: 25 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 80 will be enrolled. Design: The study is a double-blind crossover study with three arms: anodal polarization, cathodal polarization, and sham treatment. Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures are 1) cognitive function as measured with the CalCAP battery or 2) emotional state as measured with the Profile of Mood States. Secondary outcome measures include tests of emotion-based decision making and social cognition.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 25
• Phase: Phase 1

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Maryland
    • Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
      • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

Healthy volunteers over age 18. Pregnant women are eligible.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

Presence of metal in the cranial cavity or any holes in the skull due to trauma or surgery.

Uncontrolled medical problems, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, airway disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or any other condition that poses a risk for the subject during participation.

Broken skin in the area of the electrodes.

Any history of a neurological or psychiatric disorder.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure significant changes in psychomotor and cognitive function with the CalCAP battery or adverse changes in mood as measured by the Profile of Mood States.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Screen for other cognitive, emotional, and perceptual changes using standardized and validated neuropsychological tests.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• CREUTZFELDT OD, FROMM GH, KAPP H. Influence of transcortical d-c currents on cortical neuronal activity. Exp Neurol. 1962 Jun;5:436-52. doi: 10.1016/0014-4886(62)90056-0. No abstract available.
• Bechara A, Tranel D, Damasio H, Damasio AR. Failure to respond autonomically to anticipated future outcomes following damage to prefrontal cortex. Cereb Cortex. 1996 Mar-Apr;6(2):215-25. doi: 10.1093/cercor/6.2.215.
• BINDMAN LJ, LIPPOLD OC, REDFEARN JW. Long-lasting changes in the level of the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex produced bypolarizing currents. Nature. 1962 Nov 10;196:584-5. doi: 10.1038/196584a0. No abstract available.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 11, 2007
• Study Completion: December 23, 2008

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 17, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 17, 2007
• First Posted (Estimate): January 18, 2007

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 2, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 30, 2017
• Last Verified: December 23, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: HV; Emotion; Healthy Volunteer; Brain Stimulation; Cortex; Mood; Judgment
• Other Study ID Numbers: 070066; 07-N-0066