StimMem

Background and aims

To investigate whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can be used to modulate associative memory function in healthy adults. This project will provide us a basis to test if tACS can be potentially applied to ameliorate declining memory functions in patients suffering from memory disorders.

Overview

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a method that applies very weak sinusoidal electrical currents on the scalp surface to modulate neural oscillations in the brain in a frequency-specific manner to induce behavioural and electrophysiological effects. In this project, healthy old adults will be recruited to perform an associative memory task while being stimulated via tACS. Stimulation and sham stimulation effects will be compared to examine whether tACS can be used to modulate memory functions. A baseline experiment, without stimulation setup, will be performed to investigate the candidate brain regions that are suitable for stimulation.

Course of the study

Baseline experiment: 1 visit (4-5 hours)
Stimulation experiment: 2 visits (4-5 hours per visit)

Principle Investigator: Dr. Hwee-Ling Lee
Start of the study: January 2016
Status: monocentric (DZNE Bonn), recruitment completed, interim analysis completed