Investigating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Accelerating Learning in a Healthy Older Population

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The overall objective of this study is to explore whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can accelerate associative learning and boost associative memory in healthy subjects.

Detailed Description
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The overall objective of this study is to explore whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) can accelerate associative learning and boost associative memory in healthy subjects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) stimulation during a verbal paired-associate learning task to determine if tDCS may be used as a way to enhance brain plasticity during an associative memory task, and to accelerate learning and to optimize associative memory performance. We hypothesize that participants who receive tDCS stimulation will improve their associative memory performance.

Official Title
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Investigating Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Accelerating Learning in a Healthy Older Population

Conditions
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Associative Memory in Healthy Subjects

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Active tDCS
* Device: Sham tDCS


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age between 55 and 75 Currently not using any medication contradicting with tDCS Native English speaker Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Acquainted with the Swahili language or culture Severe disease Mental illness Cardiac history History of severe head injuries History of epileptic insults Any implanted devices such as pace maker, neurostimulator Pregnancy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 55 Years
Maximum Age: 75 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
Interventional Model Description: Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) active tDCS (2) Sham tDCS.
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Active tDCS<br>active HD-tDCS will be administered | Device: Active tDCS<br>* Real stimulation<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS<br>sham HD-tDCS will be administered | Device: Sham tDCS<br>* Sham stimulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A computerized verbal paired-associate memory task will be used to assess memory performance. | Memory performance scores recorded in the computerized verbal paired-associate memory test during each visit will be compared between the two groups (active tDCS and sham tDCS). | Memory performance changes will be assessed in three different visits. First assessment (baseline) on visit 1, then one-week after during visit 2, and one-month after during visit 3. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Aging, Memory, Associative learning, transcranial direct current stimulation