Optimization of tDCS Brain Network Engagement in Depression
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
Patients, physicians, and those who fund depression research are keenly interested in depression treatments that do not involve taking medications. One promising candidate treatment is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a low-cost technique that involves placing electrodes on specific scalp locations and using a 9-volt battery to cause a small amount of electricity to pass through parts of the brain. Depending on the direction of electrical flow, tDCS can make brain cells (neurons) more likely or less likely to generate their own electrical signals. When evaluated as a treatment, tDCS is typically done in daily sessions over a period of two weeks. One of the challenges of tDCS is to work out the best possible positioning of electrodes and direction of electricity flow to gradually cause lasting changes in brain activity in ways that might be expected to improve depression. To address this challenge, the investigators are using MRI to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. This data will help us better understand the short-term effects of tDCS in depression and help us learn how to customize future treatments to cause a lasting beneficial response. Patients with depression between the ages of 20-55 years are eligible to take part in this research. Potential participants will undergo: 1. An assessment to confirm eligibility. This will take place over a secure videoconference call lasting no more than 3 hours. 2. Two in-person study visits lasting 30 min and 2-1/2 hours respectively. In the first visit, the investigators will use the MRI to take a picture of the brain and head structure to determine appropriate locations for placing the tDCS electrodes at the start of the second visit. Following electrode placement, an MRI scan will be performed to take pictures of the brain during tDCS. Depending on the study arm, 1. Participants may receive 'active' or 'sham' tDCS. The 'sham' condition is identical to the 'active' tDCS in every way except that it involves minimal tDCS and is designed to help rule out effects unrelated to the administered tDCS electricity. 2. Participants may also be asked to perform a mental task during MRI. All participants will be compensated $150 + parking upon completion of all study-visits.
Description
Depression is characterized by disruption in the regulation of emotion and mood. Converging evidence from multiple brain imaging studies indicates that depression is associated with dysfunction in the top-down, emotion-regulating frontoparietal brain regions that include the hypoactive left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) brain region and the hyperactive right DLPFC. Dysfunction in additional brain regions including the cingulate cortex, hippocampus and amygdala has also been linked to depressive symptoms. Together, these brain regions form the dorso-fronto-limbic brain network, and ben…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 20–55 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 20 to 55 years, inclusive 2. Gender: all 3. Race/ethnicity: all races and ethnic groups 4. Capacity to provide informed consent 5. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score of ≥17 and \<24, with or without symptoms of anxiety. 6. Treatment naïve or on a stable standard antidepressant regimen (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs) or tricyclic's (TCAs)) with no change in treatment 6-weeks prior to and during the tDCS intervention. 7. Work at UCLA or…
Interventions
- DeviceLeft DLPFC tDCS
This intervention involves placing non-invasive scalp-electrodes over the left DLPFC brain region to deliver a mild, tolerable electric current.
- DeviceRight DLPFC tDCS
This intervention involves placing non-invasive scalp-electrodes over the right DLPFC brain region to deliver a mild, tolerable electric current.
- BehavioralCognitive task
Participants will be asked to perform a 2-back working memory mental task alongside administered tDCS
Location
- University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)Los Angeles, California