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N/A N=20 Randomized Double-blind Basic Science

Effect of tACS Stimulation on Alpha Oscillations

Healthy

Enrolled (actual)
20
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Dec 2018
Primary outcome: Primary: Salivary Alpha Amylase — 0.00695; 0.03055 log-normalized percent change of U/mL — p=0.70

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
N/A
Interventions
XCSITE100 Stimulator tACS (Device); XCSITE100 Stimulator Sham (Device)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Primary completion
Nov 2017

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Salivary Alpha Amylase
0.00695; 0.03055 0.70
PRIMARY
Salivary Cortisol
-0.0551; -0.0702 0.71
SECONDARY
Heart Rate Variability
1.599; 0.308
SECONDARY
Percent Change in Respiration
-0.0075; 0.0325
SECONDARY
Electroencephalogram (EEG)
-0.0087; 0.0114

Summary

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is one method that has been demonstrated to enhance alpha oscillations in healthy participants by applying weak electrical currents to the scalp to modulate rhythmic brain activity patterns. This study will involve tACS-induced frontal alpha oscillations, EEG recordings, and other physiological and biological measures.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Ages 18-65
  • Capacity to understand all relevant risks and potential benefits of the study (informed consent)
  • Negative pregnancy test for female participants

Exclusion Criteria

  • History of major neurological or psychiatric illness, including epilepsy
  • Medication use associated with neurological or psychiatric illnesses
  • Currently undergoing counseling or psychotherapy treatment for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, PTSD or other behavioral conditions
  • First degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with major neurological or psychiatric illness
  • Prior brain surgery
  • Major head injury
  • Any brain devices/implants (including cochlear implants and aneurysm clips)
  • Braids or other hair styling that prevents direct access to the scalp (if removal not possible)
  • Skin allergies or very sensitive skin
  • Pregnant or nursing females
  • Failure to pass a urinary drug test at the first session
  • Use of hormonal birth control or supplements in the past two weeks
  • Non English speakers
  • Cardiovascular disease
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03178344). 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.

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