Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Post-Stroke Working Memory Deficits (TDCS-PSMWD)
Stroke, Cognitive Deficit, Cognitive Impairment
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke focused on measuring Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Stroke, Electric Stimulation Therapy, Prefrontal Cortex, Electroencephalography, Cognition, Neurological Rehabilitation, Memory, Working Memory, Attention, Concentration, Short-Term Memory, Planning, Executive Function, Cerebrovascular disease
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical diagnosis of stroke and radiographically proven ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (MRI required for ischemic stroke, CT sufficient for hemorrhagic stroke).
- Subject reports a decline in attention or short-term memory that began at the time of their stroke.
- Stroke occurred at least one month prior to first stimulation session.
- Ability to provide informed consent.
- Speak English (required for performing the cognitive tests)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any other brain disease that can affect cognition (e.g., multiple sclerosis, dementia).
- Active mental illness such as depression or anxiety
- Large stroke involving cortex under the stimulation site (using subject provided CT or MRI).
- Currently taking any drugs that are sodium and/or calcium channel blockers not including amlodipine. This includes some seizure medications along with nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, verapamil and diltiazem.
- Any history of epilepsy.
- Subject report of recent drug or alcohol abuse - within the past year.
- Subject report of pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Moderate to severe aphasia preventing subject from communicating fully.
- Any pacemakers, intracranial electrodes, implanted defibrillators, or any other electrical implants.
Sites / Locations
- Stony Brook University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Sham Comparator
tDCS conventional stimulation
High Definition (HD)-tDCS stimulation
tDCS sham stimulation
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: The anode will be placed over the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the cathode will be placed over the right supraorbital cortex. This is the standard 1 anode by 1 cathodal convention. Stimulation will last 20 minutes.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: The anode will be placed over the left DLPFC and 4 cathodes will be placed surrounding the anode. This is the 4 cathode by 1 anode HD-tDCS montage for more focal stimulation. Stimulation will last 20 minutes.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: The anode will be placed over the left DLPFC and the cathode over the right supraorbital cortex. A short stimulation will be given to the subjects that will mimic the sensation of an actual stimulation but will last much shorter. The session will still last 20 minutes in total to blind both subjects and investigators.