N/A N=84 Randomized Double-blind Basic Science

The Effect of Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Antisocial and Aggressive Behavior

Antisocial Behavior · Aggression

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02427672 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Aug 2019

Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Antisocial Behavior Inclinations at 24 Hours — 1.41; 3.05 score on a scale

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: Transcranial direct current stimulation (Device); Sham transcranial direct current stimulation (Device)
Age: Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania
Primary completion: Dec 2017

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Change in Antisocial Behavior Inclinations at 24 Hours	1.41; 3.05	—
PRIMARY Number of Pins Inserted Into a Virtual Voodoo Doll at 24 Hours	5.31; 2.62	—

Summary

This study investigates the effect of upregulating prefrontal cortex activity on antisocial and aggressive behavior and risk factors for such behavior. In the double-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants will undergo anodal transcranial direct current stimulation bilaterally to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or a sham stimulation. During and after stimulation, they will complete survey and laboratory measures assessing antisocial and aggressive behavior and risk factors for antisocial and aggressive behavior. Heart rate and skin conductance will also be measured.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Above 18 years of age
Able to understand the nature of the study and give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

History of or active neurologic, cardiovascular, or psychiatric disease
Currently consuming anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, or sedative/hypnotic medications
Currently consuming anti-depressants
History of seizures
Metallic implants on the scalp
Participation in other transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or tDCS experiments on the same day
History of adverse reactions to tDCS

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02427672). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.