The Effect of Pre-Frontal tDCS on Sleep Propensity During an Afternoon Nap: RCT
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Insomnia Sleep Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 8/4/2018 |
| Start Date: | June 2014 |
| End Date: | August 2014 |
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, non-invasive brain stimulation
technology that has demonstrated the ability to temporarily increase or decrease activity in
specific regions of the brain. The researchers are investigating the effect of this
technology on sleep propensity by applying two different types of stimulation as well as sham
(Placebo) stimulation during three different afternoon naps. The researchers are subsequently
hoping to recruit healthy volunteers without medical, or sleep problems who have a regular
sleep schedule to participate in the study
technology that has demonstrated the ability to temporarily increase or decrease activity in
specific regions of the brain. The researchers are investigating the effect of this
technology on sleep propensity by applying two different types of stimulation as well as sham
(Placebo) stimulation during three different afternoon naps. The researchers are subsequently
hoping to recruit healthy volunteers without medical, or sleep problems who have a regular
sleep schedule to participate in the study
Recent studies have demonstrated that there are cortical direct current (DC) changes that
accompany sleep onset and transitions between sleep states in a stereotyped manner. In these
studies it was determined that negative potential shifts occurred prior to and at the
transition from wakefulness to sleep and at transitions between Rapid Eye Movement sleep
(REM) sleep, and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. In a subset of experiments it was
demonstrated that the same DC potential shifts occur during the transition from wake to sleep
in an afternoon nap. The recorded DC potential shifts occurred predominantly in the
pre-frontal cortex (F3, F4), with spread into central areas. No current literature exists
that explores whether tDCS could be used to modulate cortical activity prior to sleep,
resulting in either increased or decreased sleep propensity.
The application of focal, non-invasive brain stimulation has already led to novel and
effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disease with minimal side effects (Most well
studied in depression and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or, rTMS). Should the
application of tDCS modulate sleep propensity it would represent a novel study paradigm with
the potential to lead to a completely novel treatment for sleep disturbance. With this small
pilot study, we propose taking the first step in exploring the utility of tDCS in modulating
sleep propensity. We propose to recruit 15 healthy non-treatment seeking participants from
the community and expose them to three total nap conditions in a randomized counter balanced
fashion, with 10 minutes of either, Anodal, Cathodal, or Sham tDCS stimulation occurring
prior to each nap opportunity.
accompany sleep onset and transitions between sleep states in a stereotyped manner. In these
studies it was determined that negative potential shifts occurred prior to and at the
transition from wakefulness to sleep and at transitions between Rapid Eye Movement sleep
(REM) sleep, and Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep. In a subset of experiments it was
demonstrated that the same DC potential shifts occur during the transition from wake to sleep
in an afternoon nap. The recorded DC potential shifts occurred predominantly in the
pre-frontal cortex (F3, F4), with spread into central areas. No current literature exists
that explores whether tDCS could be used to modulate cortical activity prior to sleep,
resulting in either increased or decreased sleep propensity.
The application of focal, non-invasive brain stimulation has already led to novel and
effective treatments for neuropsychiatric disease with minimal side effects (Most well
studied in depression and repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation or, rTMS). Should the
application of tDCS modulate sleep propensity it would represent a novel study paradigm with
the potential to lead to a completely novel treatment for sleep disturbance. With this small
pilot study, we propose taking the first step in exploring the utility of tDCS in modulating
sleep propensity. We propose to recruit 15 healthy non-treatment seeking participants from
the community and expose them to three total nap conditions in a randomized counter balanced
fashion, with 10 minutes of either, Anodal, Cathodal, or Sham tDCS stimulation occurring
prior to each nap opportunity.
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 18-65
- capable of coming in for an initial intake screen, and then again for 2 hours on
consecutive Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of Neurologic, psychiatric, or sleep disorder.
- Current use of medications affecting the central nervous system.
- Daily consumption of alcohol, or consequences of alcohol use (DUI, occupational, or
social dysfunction ect.).
- Tobacco use.
- Consumption of more than the equivalent of 300mg of caffeine daily.
- Habitual sleep duration of less than 6 ½ hours, greater than 8 ½ hours, a difference
between weeknight, and weekend sleep of greater than 3 hours, or typical sleep timing
more than 3 hours outside of the window of 10pm-6am.
- Score of greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQ-I), or 10 on the
Epworth Sleepiness scale (ESS).
- BMI greater than 30, or Heavy snoring.
- Pregnancy.
We found this trial at
1
site
171 Ashley Avenue
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
Charleston, South Carolina 29425
843-792-1414
Medical University of South Carolina The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has grown from...
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