HD-tDCS to Modulate Connectivity

April 27, 2026 updated by: University of Manitoba

Modulating Functional Brain Connectivity Using High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS)

The purpose of the proposed study is to broaden our understanding on the neural effects of High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) so that its clinical effects can be further improved.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Normal healthy individuals will be recruited and undergo a standardized neuropsychological assessment (ANAM, MoCA, BDI-II, ToMS, and MAAS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). During MRI, HD-tDCS will be applied. Four different stimulation targets will be investigated, and subjects will be randomly assigned for each target groups or sham group. After HD-tDCS/MRI session, subjects will be re-assessed with standardized neuropsychological tests.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

100

Phase

  • 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 Contact

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Manitoba
      • Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0J9
        • Recruiting
        • University of Manitoba
        • Contact:

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- All other than excluded.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History or susceptibility to any neurological or psychiatric diseases, particularly seizures
  • abnormal MRI
  • metal implants or a cardiac pacemaker
  • pregnant or breastfeeding women

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: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: left DLPFC stimulation
HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; x=-44, y=10, z=30) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.
Device: high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)
HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.
Experimental: right DLPFC stimulation
HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; x=+42, y=+14, z=+30) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.
Device: high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)
HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.
Experimental: left IPL stimulation
HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left intraparietal lobe (IPL; x=-50, y=-36, z=+42) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.
Device: high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)
HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.
Experimental: VLPFC-PCC stimulation
HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC; x=-50, y=+26, z=+8) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC; x=1, y=-61, z=38) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.
Device: high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)
HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.
Sham Comparator: Sham stimulation
One of the above three targets will be randomly selected. The current will be applied for 30 seconds ramp-up followed by 30 seconds ramp-down.
Device: high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)
HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
change of functional connectivity
Time Frame: 0-11 minutes after the stimulation contrasting baseline (before stimulation)
Changes in seed-based connectivity originating from the targeted brain regions immediately after the brain stimulation
0-11 minutes after the stimulation contrasting baseline (before stimulation)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
change of cerebral blood flow
Time Frame: 12-16 minutes after the stimulation contrasting baseline (before stimulation)
Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow (estimated using pseudo continuous arterial spin labeling )
12-16 minutes after the stimulation contrasting baseline (before stimulation)
Toronto Mindfulness Scale (curiosity)
Time Frame: Baseline, then within 1-2 hours from stimulation
mindfulness scale for curiosity. min: 0, max: 30. Higher score means higher curiosity-mindfulness.
Baseline, then within 1-2 hours from stimulation
Toronto Mindfulness Scale (decentering)
Time Frame: Baseline, then within 1-2 hours from stimulation
mindfulness scale for decentering. min: 0, max: 35. Higher score means higher decentering-mindfulness.
Baseline, then within 1-2 hours from stimulation

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Manitoba

Collaborators

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada

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)

July 1, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 31, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 20, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 17, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

July 25, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 27, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • HS24853

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

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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