Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Enhancement in FASD

描述(由申请者提供)：这项拟议的研究培训项目的主要目的是提高申请者在神经成像和神经调节方法的研究生涯中取得成功的能力，因为它们适用于临床人群。申请者将在脑电(EEG)数据的获取和分析以及经颅直流电刺激(TDC)在临床人群中的应用方面获得重要技能。这个 拟议的研究还旨在检查一种廉价、易于应用的干预技术(TDCS)在缓解与胎儿酒精谱系障碍(FASD)相关的认知功能障碍方面的效用。我们实验室和其他实验室最近的行为和神经成像研究表明，与健康对照组相比，FASD参与者的注意力减少，风险决策增加。有趣的是，我们的实验室和其他实验室最近也发现，使用tdcs可以改善这些认知过程。因此，推测tDCs可能有助于治疗与FASD相关的注意力障碍和高风险决策。Tdcs提高注意力和减少风险决策的最有效位置将首先分别使用持续注意反应任务和剑桥赌博任务来确定。行为和脑电数据将被用作tdcs有效性的衡量标准。在健康对照的这项实验之后，患有FASD的年轻人将使用这个/这些tdcs电极放置进行检查。通过完成本提案中概述的目标，申请者将学习脑电数据的量化和分析方法。他还将学习利用健康参与者以前在tDC方面的经验应用于患有FASD的人，申请者将接受研究的规划、执行和沟通方面的培训，目标是成为一名独立研究人员。在这项建议中概述的实验中获得的结果也可能在临床上相关。预计tdcs将对注意力和风险决策产生强烈的行为和电生理效应。这些实验的结果有可能为减轻FASD的影响提供一种安全和廉价的治疗技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary purpose of this proposed research training project is to enhance the applicant's ability to succeed in a research career in neuroimaging and neuromodulatory methods as they apply to clinical populations. The applicant will acquire important skills in acquisition and analysis of electroencephalography (EEG) data and the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in a clinical population. The proposed research also aims to examine the utility of an inexpensive, easily applied intervention technique (tDCS) for mitigation of cognitive dysfunction associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Recent behavioral and neuroimaging research from our lab and others has demonstrated diminished attention and increased risky decision making in participants with FASD compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, our lab and others have also recently found that these cognitive processes can be improved using tDCS. It is therefore hypothesized that tDCS may be useful for treatment of dysfunction in attention and risky decision making related to FASD. The most effective placement for tDCS enhancement of attention and reduction of risky decision making will first be determined using the sustained attention to response task and the Cambridge gambling task, respectively. Behavioral and EEG data will be used as a metric for the effectiveness of tDCS. Following this experiment in healthy controls, young adults with FASD will be examined using this/these tDCS electrode placements. By completing the aims outlined in this proposal, the applicant will learn methods for quantification and analysis of EEG data. He will also learn to utilize previous experience with tDCS in healthy participants for application to those with FASD, and the applicant will be trained in the planning, execution, and communication of research, with the goal of becoming an independent researcher. Results obtained in the experiments outlined in this proposal may be clinically relevant as well. It is expected that tDCS will produce strong behavioral and electrophysiological effects for both attention and risky decision making. The results of these experiments have the potential to provide a safe and inexpensive therapeutic technique for alleviating the effects of FASD.