Investigating Accelerated Learning in Healthy Subjects

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to accelerate learning and improve associative memory performance in healthy subjects, by (1) applying transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) during a verbal paired-associate learning task and by (2) optimizing the learning method with repeated retrieval practice.

Detailed Description
-----------------
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. Previous research has also emphasized the importance of repeated retrieval practice as a way to accelerate learning and enhance associative memory performance. Therefore, this study will examine the effect of repeated retrieval practice on associative memory performance by using two versions of an associative memory task. To investigate whether it is possible to accelerate learning and improve associative memory using tDCS and repeated retrieval practice, the performance in a Verbal Paired-Associate memory task during the first visit and 1 week after will be compared for four study groups. The first group will get active tDCS during a version of the verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice. The second group will get active tDCS during a version of the verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice. The third group will get sham tDCS during a version of the verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice and the fourth group will get Sham tDCS during a version of the verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice.

Official Title
-----------------
Investigating Accelerated Learning in Healthy Subjects

Conditions
-----------------
Healthy Adults

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Device: tDCS
* Behavioral: Verbal paired-associate learning task


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
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. Acquainted with the foreign language used in the learning task Contraindications for tDCS (pregnant women, implanted devices)

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

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

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


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: active tDCS with repeated retrieval practice<br>active tDCS with verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice | Device: tDCS<br>* active tDCS versus sham tDCS<br>Behavioral: Verbal paired-associate learning task<br>* with or without repeated retrieval practice<br>|
| Experimental: active tDCS without repeated retrieval practice<br>active tDCS with verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice | Device: tDCS<br>* active tDCS versus sham tDCS<br>Behavioral: Verbal paired-associate learning task<br>* with or without repeated retrieval practice<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS with repeated retrieval practice<br>sham tDCS with verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice | Behavioral: Verbal paired-associate learning task<br>* with or without repeated retrieval practice<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Sham tDCS without repeated retrieval practice<br>shamtDCS with verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice | Behavioral: Verbal paired-associate learning task<br>* with or without repeated retrieval practice<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Associative Memory assessed by a Verbal Paired-Associate memory test | Changes in performance in the Verbal Paired-Associate memory task is compared between the 4 groups (1. tDCS+verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice, 2. tDCS + verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice, 3. Sham tDCS+verbal paired-associate learning task with repeated retrieval practice, 4. Sham tDCS + verbal paired-associate learning task without repeated retrieval practice) to investigate the influence of tDCS and learning method on Associative Memory | baseline and 1 week after the tDCS | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), accelerated learning, memory