EEG Analytics to Determine Effectiveness of a tDCS Protocol
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Healthy Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 6/3/2018 |
| Start Date: | February 2015 |
| End Date: | July 2019 |
Development of an EEG Analytics Tool to Determine Effectiveness of a tDCS Protocol
The goal of this study is to monitor the brain using electroencephalography (EEG) while
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is being administered, as a potential pathway
to determine neurophysiological markers capable of forecasting the intensity of a subject's
response to tDCS.
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is being administered, as a potential pathway
to determine neurophysiological markers capable of forecasting the intensity of a subject's
response to tDCS.
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has
been the subject of many recent investigations. There is a growing body of evidence to
suggest that tDCS can enhance the efficacy of various therapies. However, progress in the
field is slow: many studies suffer from reproducibility issues, or highly variable results,
including stroke rehabilitation. It is feasible that much of the variance in experimental
results can be explained by an inability to quantitatively track individual responses to tDCS
in real-time, and personalize stimulation parameters for maximum effect.
Monitoring the brain via EEG while tDCS is being administered is a potential pathway to
determine neurophysiological markers capable of forecasting the intensity of a subject's
response to tDCS. This research has not previously been attempted due to technical
difficulties- namely, the electromagnetic interference that is associated with tDCS degrades
EEG signal quality. Recent advances in electrode and amplification technology have made it
possible to make EEG recordings simultaneously with tDCS.
The investigators will attempt to determine whether specific EEG signatures can indicate the
magnitude of a tDCS response. Subjects will receive either real or sham anodal tDCS to the
hand representation of their left primary motor cortex.
The efficacy of the tDCS protocol will be quantitatively determined using transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS) to generate a motor-evoked potential (MEP) in the hand pre- and
post-tDCS. Additionally, prior to, during, and following the tDCS protocol, we will record
EEG event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to a finger-tapping (motor) task.
The investigators aim to draw a correlation between the magnitude of MEP changes and pre- and
post-tDCS and changes in recorded ERPs before, during and after tDCS in order to quantify the
response to tDCS over the motor cortex. If EEG metrics can be used to gauge efficacy in
real-time during tDCS administration, the investigators will gain significant insight into
how to appropriately and quantitatively individualize tDCS dosage parameters for each
patient.
been the subject of many recent investigations. There is a growing body of evidence to
suggest that tDCS can enhance the efficacy of various therapies. However, progress in the
field is slow: many studies suffer from reproducibility issues, or highly variable results,
including stroke rehabilitation. It is feasible that much of the variance in experimental
results can be explained by an inability to quantitatively track individual responses to tDCS
in real-time, and personalize stimulation parameters for maximum effect.
Monitoring the brain via EEG while tDCS is being administered is a potential pathway to
determine neurophysiological markers capable of forecasting the intensity of a subject's
response to tDCS. This research has not previously been attempted due to technical
difficulties- namely, the electromagnetic interference that is associated with tDCS degrades
EEG signal quality. Recent advances in electrode and amplification technology have made it
possible to make EEG recordings simultaneously with tDCS.
The investigators will attempt to determine whether specific EEG signatures can indicate the
magnitude of a tDCS response. Subjects will receive either real or sham anodal tDCS to the
hand representation of their left primary motor cortex.
The efficacy of the tDCS protocol will be quantitatively determined using transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS) to generate a motor-evoked potential (MEP) in the hand pre- and
post-tDCS. Additionally, prior to, during, and following the tDCS protocol, we will record
EEG event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to a finger-tapping (motor) task.
The investigators aim to draw a correlation between the magnitude of MEP changes and pre- and
post-tDCS and changes in recorded ERPs before, during and after tDCS in order to quantify the
response to tDCS over the motor cortex. If EEG metrics can be used to gauge efficacy in
real-time during tDCS administration, the investigators will gain significant insight into
how to appropriately and quantitatively individualize tDCS dosage parameters for each
patient.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Neurologically healthy
Exclusion Criteria:
- Ongoing use of CNS-active medications
- Ongoing use of psychoactive medications, such as stimulants, antidepressants, and
anti-psychotic medications
- Presence of a potential tDCS/TMS Risk Factor:
1. Damaged skin at the site of stimulation (i.e. skin with ingrown hairs, acne,
razor nicks, wounds that have not healed, recent scar tissue, broken skin, etc)
2. Presence of an electrically, magnetically or mechanically activated implant
(including cardiac pacemaker), an intracerebral vascular clip or any other
electrically sensitive support system
3. Metal in any part of the body, including metal injury to the eye (Jewelry must be
removed during stimulation)
4. A history of medication-resistant epilepsy in the family
5. Past history of seizures or unexplained spells of loss of consciousness
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