Causal Role of Delta-beta Coupling for Goal-directed Behavior in Anhedonic Depression
Florida State University
Summary
Anhedonia, the inability to seek-out and experience pleasure, is a common symptom in depression that predicts treatment-resistance and is sometimes exacerbated by first-line antidepressants. In our previous research, we found that anhedonia decreases goal-directed behavior and its related neural activity. In this study, we will investigate target engagement from five-consecutive days of stimulation for participants that are within a unipolar major depressive episode and also have high symptoms of anhedonia.
Description
The experiment comprises eight sessions total. People that request to be in the experiment will first complete demographic and self-report clinical assessments. People that meet our eligibility criteria will be invited to participate in the study. In the first session, clinical assessment are administered to determine eligibility for the full study. In the second session, participants complete a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) session in which they complete three different reward-based decision-making tasks. After the MRI session, participants are randomized into one of three paral…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 and 65 * Able to provide informed consent * Have normal to corrected vision * Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study * Speak and understand English * Mild suicide risk as determined by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D; less than 3 for the suicidality item) and non-existent or mild risk according to the Depression Symptom Index Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS). * Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) greater than or equal to 8 prior to the first session * Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAP…
Interventions
- DeviceDelta-beta tACS via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4
Stimulation will be delivered via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research. The electrical waveform for stimulation was designed to mimic delta-beta coupling in the brain.
- DeviceTheta-gamma tACS via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4
Stimulation will be delivered via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research. The electrical waveform for stimulation was designed to mimic theta-gamma coupling in the brain and is used as an active comparator.
- DeviceSham tACS via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4
Stimulation will be delivered via the Neurocare Direct Current Stimulator Multi-Channel 4, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research. The electrical waveform is randomly selected to be the theta-gamma or delta-beta waveform, but the stimulation is delivered for only a brief period of time of approximately 30 seconds, which is not sufficient to produce a meaningful dose to the brain. This placebo, or sham, stimulation is designed to mimic the sensation of receiving stimulation.
Location
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee, Florida