Weak electrical stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and its effects on information processing
Official title: Neural and Age-Related Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of the Left dlPFC During Information Processing
Run by University of Bern · NCT07168031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether weak electrical brain stimulation of the left dlPFC changes brain activity and task performance in healthy younger and older adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 20 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 196 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bern) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 6, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 2027 |
| Study ends | August 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07168031 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Healthy right-handed adults aged 20–40 or 60–80 with normal or corrected vision and hearing, no neurological or psychiatric disorder, no CNS-active medications, and who can undergo MRI and give informed consent are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with neurological or psychiatric disorders, a history of seizures, metal implants or pacemakers, current CNS-active medications, pregnancy, or recent participation in another brain stimulation study are unlikely to qualify or benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants receive either active or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) while they complete computer tasks designed to engage specific cognitive processes. Brain activity and connectivity are measured with MRI both during tasks and at rest to capture stimulation effects on cortical networks and hippocampal interactions. The study enrolls healthy right-handed younger adults (20–40) and older adults (60–80) to compare age-related differences in response to stimulation. Safety screening excludes people with MRI or tDCS contraindications and those taking CNS-active medications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help guide noninvasive stimulation approaches to better target age-related changes in attention and memory.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tDCS studies have reliably shown short-term changes in cortical excitability and network connectivity but have produced mixed results for lasting cognitive benefits, so this approach is partially supported but not definitively proven.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy younger adults (ages 20-40) or healthy older adults (ages 60-80) * Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing * Right-handed (for consistency in brain stimulation) * Able to give written informed consent and comply with study procedures Exclusion Criteria: * History of neurological or psychiatric disorders * Current use of medications that affect the central nervous system * Metal implants, pacemakers, or other contraindications for MRI or tDCS * History of seizures or epilepsy * Pregnancy * Participation in another brain stimulation study within the last 3 months * Any condition judged by investigators to interfere with safe participation
Where it's running
-
University of Bern, Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Bern, Switzerland Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jessica Peter, Prof. — UniversityClinics, University of Bern
- Study coordinator: Sarah Godehardt
- Email: sarah.godehardt@unibe.ch
- Phone: +41 58 630 89 03
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.