Actively Recruiting
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Modulation of Affect and Pain
Led by Trustees of Dartmouth College · Updated on 2025-05-25
50
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
155 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This double-blind randomized crossover study aims to examine the effects of left primary motor cortex (M1) tDCS on evoked thermal pain perception, pain-related decision making, and placebo effects by manipulated pain and monetary offers accepted by others. The investigators plan to collect data for up to 50 participants who undergo four separate sessions: an initial pain calibration session and three experimental sessions with either anodal, cathodal, or sham tDCS. Each session includes pain testing before and after a single tDCS protocol (either anodal, cathodal, or sham), a pain-monetary decision-making task, and social placebo pain tests. All tasks following tDCS will take place inside the MR scanner. The investigators hypothesize that anodal M1 tDCS will decrease pain ratings, and that cathodal tDCS will increase them, both relative to the sham condition. The investigators will also examine the effects of M1 tDCS on social decision-making to examine whether it affects participants' valuation of pain and their altruistic behavior, as well as how these same factors impact pain sensation in the placebo task. The investigators hypothesize that participants will behave hyperaltruistically during the decision-making task, and that the same factors that influence choice will also impact pain perception in the same context.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Modulation of Affect and Pain
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Ages 18 to 55 years
- Ability to perform experimental tasks, such as reading
- Fluent or native English speaker
You will not qualify if you...
- Current or past diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric illnesses
- Current seizure disorder or seizure within the past 10 years
- History of stroke or major neurological disorders
- Current chronic pain or acute pain within 3 months prior to the study
- Current migraine disorder with 15 or more headache days in one month
- Use of medications affecting the central nervous system or neurological/psychiatric treatment
- Substance abuse within the last 6 months
- Contraindications to MRI or tDCS, including pregnancy, claustrophobia, pacemakers, implants, shrapnel, brain abnormalities, or scalp skin lesions
- Contraindications for induced pain, including heart disease, high blood pressure, heart surgery, severe asthma, respiratory problems, fibromyalgia, Raynaud's syndrome, chronic pain, or diabetes
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Dartmouth College
Hanover, New Hampshire, United States, 03755
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Tor Wager D Principal Investigator, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here