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ID
Source
Health condition
StartReact effect
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main outcome variable is the reaction time in a simple reaction time task and the onset of postural responses.
Secondary outcome
N/A
Background summary
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that alters cortical excitability. A recent study in anaesthetized cats showed that tDCS also facilitates subcortical neurons . Here, we hypothesize that subcortical facilitation also occurs in humans. We evaluate the effect of tDCS on two responses that are thought to be evoked from subcortical structures; (1) the StartReact effect, in which a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) accelerates the latencies of movement responses to an imperative stimulus, and (2) automatic postural responses to external balance perturbations.
Study objective
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that alters cortical excitability. A recent study in anaesthetized cats showed that tDCS also facilitates subcortical neurons. Here, we hypothesize that subcortical facilitation also occurs in humans. We evaluate the effect of tDCS on two responses that are thought to be evoked from subcortical structures; (1) the StartReact effect, in which a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) accelerates the latencies of movement responses to an imperative stimulus, and (2) automatic postural responses to external balance perturbations.
We expect that anodal-tDCS will shorten the latencies of responses, both during the simple reaction time tasks and during the balance perturbations .
Study design
In one session anodal stimulation will be given, in the other session sham stimulation will be given. The order of the sessions will be balanced over the participants.
Intervention
tDCS (2 mA; 15 min) will be applied to one cortical area (M1 on the non-dominant hemisphere). In one session anodal stimulation will be given, in the other session sham stimulation will be given. The order of the sessions will be balanced over the participants.
PO Box 9101
Jorik Nonnekes
Nijmegen 6500 HB
The Netherlands
+31 (0)24 3668425
j.nonnekes@reval.umcn.nl
PO Box 9101
Jorik Nonnekes
Nijmegen 6500 HB
The Netherlands
+31 (0)24 3668425
j.nonnekes@reval.umcn.nl
Inclusion criteria
Only healthy, competent, men and women , 18–45 years old, with normal hearing will be recruited.
Exclusion criteria
With regard to transcranial brain stimulation:
1. Serious head trauma or brain surgery;
2. Large or ferromagnetic metal parts in the head (except for a dental wire);
3. Implanted cardiac pacemaker or neurostimulator;
4. Pregnancy.
With regard to other experimental techniques:
1. Skin diseases at intended electrode sites (EMG, tDCS).
With regard to general experimental requirements:
1. Disorders of hearing;
2. Any neurological or orthopaedic disorder;
3. Cognitive impairments;
4. Any prescribed medication that can alter cortical excitability (e.g. antiepileptics, tricyclic anti-depressives or benzodiazepines) within two weeks prior to participation. Medication negatively affecting balance (e.g. neuroleptics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sedatives).
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
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Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
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In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| NTR-new | NL3802 |
| NTR-old | NTR3975 |
| CCMO | NL42504.091.13 |
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN wordt niet meer aangevraagd. |