tDCS and Cognitive Training as a Neurodevelopmental Intervention in FASD
University of Minnesota
Summary
This is a randomized placebo-controlled trial of cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for children and adolescents (ages 8 - 17 years) with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE).
Description
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has profound detrimental effects on brain development and, as a result, has permanent consequences for cognition, learning, and behavior. Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) commonly have a range of neurocognitive impairments that directly lead to practical problems with learning, attention, working memory, task planning/execution, and decision making, among other areas of functioning. Despite the profound public health burden posed by FASD, there have been very few treatment studies in this population. This study will examine the effects of…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 8–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Documented heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (self-report, social service records, or adoption records) and meeting criteria for an associated FASD diagnosis (FAS, partial FAS, or ARND). * An available parent or legal guardian capable of giving informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Substance abuse in the participant * Neurological condition or other developmental disorder * Serious psychiatric disorder known to affect brain functioning and cognitive performance Birthweight \< 1500 grams * MRI contraindication * tDCS contraindication
Interventions
- DeviceActive tDCS
Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
- BehavioralCognitive Training
Computerized Cognitive Training
- DeviceSham tDCS
Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Location
- University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota