Influence of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cortical Plasticity in Concussed Athletes

This study is currently recruiting participants.

Verified May 2013 by Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Sponsor:

Information provided by (Responsible Party):

Jonathan List, Charite University, Berlin, Germany

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:

NCT01593956

First received: May 7, 2012

Last updated: May 22, 2013

Last verified: May 2013

History of Changes

Purpose

Concussed athlethes have discrete decreased abilities in motor learning. Recent research could further show, that cortical plasticity, as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is reduced. This is possibly due to an increased GABAergic activity, what have been found in concussed athletes by paired pulse protocols in TMS.

GABAergic acitivty can be modulated by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a polar-specific manner: anodal tDCS was able to decrease GABA, whereas cathodal tDCS increased tDCS.

Our study aimes to assess the influence of anodal tDCS on cortical plsticity in concussed athlethes. We hypothesize, that anodal tDCS is able to increase cortical plsticity in concussed athlethes.

Condition	Intervention
Concussed Athletes Healthy Controls	Behavioral: tDCS

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title:	Influence of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cortical Plasticity in Concussed Athletes and Healthy Volunteers

Further study details as provided by Charite University, Berlin, Germany:

Primary Outcome Measures:

Improvement of cortical plasticity after anodal tDCS in concussed athletes

Estimated Enrollment:	30
Study Start Date:	March 2012
Estimated Primary Completion Date:	July 2013 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Arms	Assigned Interventions
Concussed athletes	Behavioral: tDCS
Healthy controls	Behavioral: tDCS

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 50 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

history of at least 2 sports concussion
age 18 - 50 years

Exclusion Criteria:

structural deficit on cerebral MRI
Epilepsy
neurological disorder
intake of CNS-active drugs

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01593956

Locations

Germany
Charité - Department of neurology	Recruiting
Berlin, Germany, 10117
Contact: Jonathan List, MD +40 30 450560223 Jonathan.List@charite.de
Contact: Agnes Flöel, Prof. +40 30 450660284 agnes.floeel@charite.de
Principal Investigator: Jonathan List, MD
Principal Investigator: Agnes Flöel, Prof

Sponsors and Collaborators

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Jonathan List, MD	Charité - Department of Neurology
Principal Investigator:	Agnes Flöel, Prof.	Charité - Department of Neurology

More Information

Publications:

De Beaumont L, Tremblay S, Poirier J, Lassonde M, Théoret H. Altered bidirectional plasticity and reduced implicit motor learning in concussed athletes. Cereb Cortex. 2012 Jan;22(1):112-21. Epub 2011 May 13.

Stagg CJ, Bachtiar V, Johansen-Berg H. The role of GABA in human motor learning. Curr Biol. 2011 Mar 22;21(6):480-4. Epub 2011 Mar 3.

Stagg CJ, Best JG, Stephenson MC, O'Shea J, Wylezinska M, Kincses ZT, Morris PG, Matthews PM, Johansen-Berg H. Polarity-sensitive modulation of cortical neurotransmitters by transcranial stimulation. J Neurosci. 2009 Apr 22;29(16):5202-6.

Responsible Party:	Jonathan List, MD, Charite University, Berlin, Germany
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT01593956 History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers:	EA1/021/12
Study First Received:	May 7, 2012
Last Updated:	May 22, 2013
Health Authority:	Germany: Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on June 17, 2013

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