Investigating Memory Retrieval Improvement in Healthy Subjects

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate whether learning can be accelerated and associative memory performance improved in healthy subjects by applying transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) during a Face Name memory task.

Detailed Description
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Associative memory refers to remembering the association between two items, such as a face and a name or a word in English and the same word in another language. It is not only important for learning, but it is also one of the first aspects of memory performance that is impacted by aging and by Alzheimer׳s disease. For decades, neuroscientists have investigated associative learning and memory and ways to accelerate and enhance associative learning and memory. Transcranial Direct Current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive and painless electrical stimulation technique that has demonstrated to accelerate learning and improve memory in some studies. To investigate whether learning can be accelerated and associative memory improved by using tDCS, this study will compare the performance in a Face Name Associate memory task from 3 groups. The first group will get active aodal tDCS during the study phase of the Face Name Memory task, whereas the second group will get sham tDCS during the study phase of the task and the third group will get active cathodal tDCS.

Official Title
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Investigating Memory Retrieval Improvement in Healthy Subjects

Conditions
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Healthy Adults

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: active anodal tDCS
* Device: sham tDCS
* Device: active cathodal tDCS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age: 18-35 years Native English Speaker Exclusion Criteria: History of severe head injuries, epileptic insults, or heart disease. Severe psychiatric disorders and severe untreated medical problems. Contraindications for tDCS (pregnant women, implanted devices)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: active anodal tDCS<br>active anodal tDCS with Face Name associate Memory task | Device: active anodal tDCS<br>* active anodal tDCS with memory task<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS<br>sham tDCS with Face Name associate Memory task | Device: sham tDCS<br>* sham tDCS with memory task<br>|
| Experimental: active cathodal tDCS<br>active cathodal tDCS with Face Name associate Memory task | Device: active cathodal tDCS<br>* active cathodal tDCS with memory task<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Associative Memory assessed by a Face Name Associate Memory experiment | Changes in performance in the Face Name Associate memory task is compared between the 2 groups (1. Real tDCS+ Face Name Associate memory task & 2. Sham tDCS+ Face Name Associate memory task) to investigate the influence of tDCS on Associative Memory. | Associate Memory is assessed after a 10 minutes break following the study phase | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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tDCS, accelerated learning, memory