Recruiting

HD-tDCS

Sponsor:

University of Manitoba

Code:

NCT05959551

Conditions

Electricity; Effects

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Interventions

high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)

Study Details

Brief summary:

The purpose of the proposed study is to broaden our understanding on the neural effects of High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) so that its clinical effects can be further improved.

Conditions

Electricity; Effects

Study ID

NCT05959551

Start date

Jul 1, 2023

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

Aug 31, 2026

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Aug 31, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18+

Healthy Volunteers: Accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

\- All other than excluded.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History or susceptibility to any neurological or psychiatric diseases, particularly seizures
  • abnormal MRI
  • metal implants or a cardiac pacemaker
  • pregnant or breastfeeding women

Study Design

Enrollment

100 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: left DLPFC stimulation

HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; x=-44, y=10, z=30) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.

experimental: right DLPFC stimulation

HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC; x=+42, y=+14, z=+30) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.

experimental: left IPL stimulation

HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left intraparietal lobe (IPL; x=-50, y=-36, z=+42) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.

experimental: VLPFC-PCC stimulation

HD-tDCS will be used to deliver direct current to the target via rubber electrodes and HD-tDCS gels. The 9 electrodes (8 channels + 1 ground) positions and current intensity will be determined based on computer simulation using HDTargets software (Soterix Inc.) that results in maximum focal current on the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC; x=-50, y=+26, z=+8) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC; x=1, y=-61, z=38) with inward field orientation. The peak current will not exceed 2 mA. A constant current will be delivered for 20 minutes.

sham comparator: Sham stimulation

One of the above three targets will be randomly selected. The current will be applied for 30 seconds ramp-up followed by 30 seconds ramp-down.

Interventions

high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS)

HD-tDCS will be provided for 20 minutes for each stimulation with peak intensity of 2mA.

Primary outcome measure

  • change of functional connectivity [ Time Frame: 0-11 minutes after the stimulation contrasting baseline (before stimulation) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Ji Hyun Ko, PhD

2042930724ji.ko@umanitoba.ca

Locations

University of Manitoba

Recruiting

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0J9

Contacts

Ji Hyun Ko, PhD

204-318-2566ji.ko@umanitoba.ca

More Information

Sponsor

University of Manitoba

Last update posted

May 1, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Manitoba on 2026-05-01.