Causal Role of the Aperiodic Signal for Working Memory

ConditionExecutive Dysfunction

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age18-35

SponsorFlorida State University

About this trial

Working memory (WM) is the ability to hold relevant information in mind in the absence of sensory input. The capacity for WM is a foundation for cognitive control and higher cognitive function more broadly. Previous research demonstrated that during the delay period of WM tasks, oscillatory electrical activity in the prefrontal cortex in the theta-frequency band (4-8 Hz) increased in amplitude. However, other groups found that the slope of the aperiodic signal in the brain was positively correlated with individual differences in WM capacity. Since low-frequency power and a steeper slope of the aperiodic signal are confounded in many analyses, it is not clear whether the slope of the aperiodic signal or the amplitude of low-frequency oscillations underlie WM capacity. With many studies investigating the causal role of theta oscillations in WM, the purpose of this project is to investigate the role of the aperiodic signal in WM performance.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Between the ages of 18 and 35

Able to provide informed consent

Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study

Disqualifiers

ADHD/ADD (currently under treatment)

Neurological disorder and conditions

Medical or neurological illness or treatment for a medical disorder that could interfere with study participation, e.g., unstable cardiac disease, HIV/AIDS, malignancy, liver or renal impairment

Prior brain surgery

Trial design

Design model

Crossover

Treatments tested in this trial

Steep-tRAS
Device
Stimulation will be delivered via the NeuroConn Direct Current Stimulator Plus Multiple Channels, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research.
Flat-tRAS
Device
Stimulation will be delivered via the NeuroConn Direct Current Stimulator Plus Multiple Channels, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research.
Sham-tRAS
Device
Stimulation will be delivered via the NeuroConn Direct Current Stimulator Plus Multiple Channels, an investigational electrical non-invasive brain stimulation device that is being used for foundational neuroscience and translational research.

Treatment groups

30 Participants

are divided into 3 treatment groups

Group A: Steep-tRAS,Experimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Flat-tRASActive comparator 1 intervention

Group C: Sham-tRASSham comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

Change in number of remembered items

The number of remembered items, often referred to as working memory capacity, is calculated as the number of items to be remembered multiplied by the number of items successfully remembered divided by the number of total trials. The range of values is 0 to 7 where a larger number denotes a greater number of items that were remembered.

Time frame

3 hours

Secondary outcomes

Change in slope of the power spectrum of the EEG

The power spectrum of an electrical brain recording is calculated by performing a Fourier transform on the time signal. The slope is calculated as the general trend of this background signal.

Time frame

3 hours

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Florida State University

Lead sponsor

Source ClinicalTrials.gov

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