Participants sought: Brain stimulation to improve cognitive performance

tDCS demonstration at MAPrc. Photo: Monash University

Participants aged 18 to 35 years or 56 to 80 years are sought for a research project using brain stimulation to enhance cognitive performance and neural plasticity.

Participation will involve completing computerised cognitive tasks both before and after administration of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a safe, painless and non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in the brain. Changes in brain activity before and after tDCS will be measured through the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and electroencephalography (EEG).

Participants sought: Does memory and brain plasticity improve with non-invasive brain stimulation?

Image: M.C. Escher, 'Drawing Hands'

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) is currently seeking healthy right-handed adult participants aged between 18-60 years to take part in a study investigating the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on improving memory and brain plasticity. The study involves the use of a new form of non-invasive brain stimulation known as ‘High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) which is a painless, safe, and non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in the brain. Brain activity will be recoded using TMS and EEG and memory will be studied via neuropsychological tests.

Unlocking the brain with new stimulation technologies

Associate Professor Kate Hoy

Brain connectivity and neuroplasticity are increasingly investigated and becoming better understood, and the insights are being employed with new technologies for treatment of cognitive disorders and brain injuries.

In this article, Elouise Brennan interviews A/Prof Kate Hoy of the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre on how the techniques of transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation are being used for schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and depression. Link to full story.

Congratulations to Susan Lee, CCS BMedSc(Hons) 2015 dux!

Susan Lee, 2015 BMedSc(Hons) dux
at Central Clinical School

Congratulations to Susan Lee, who was the highest performing BMedSc(Hons) student for CCS in 2015. Well done Susan!

Susan's supervisor was Dr Rebecca Segrave, Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre. Her research project was "Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: The influence of gender and endogenous oestrogen".

Prof Jenny Hoy, BMedSc(Hons) coordinator at the Alfred, said all of the 2015 students did extremely well. She said, "It's a pleasure to mentor such highly motivated students. Healthcare in Australia has a very bright future with such diligent and able students coming through!"

2015 Central Clinical School Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) students:
L-R Back row: Frank Gao, Fei Bing, Gabrielle Freedman, Evelyn Bian, Jacqueline Bell, Storm Holwill, Victoria Berquist, William MacDonald.
L-R Middle row: Yasar Zirek, Susan Lee, Karin Utami, Diar Rudiatmoko, Angela Sarumpaet.
L-R Front row: Angus Brown, Rebecca Lewis, Lucinda Miller.
Absent: Lia Amanda, Prasanna Bhaskaran, Bridget Pianta, Nahkita Wolfe (SPHPM), Hui Yeoh

A new treatment to enhance working memory

By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Non-invasive stimulation of the brain by a weak electrical current can have therapeutic effects in a range of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. A newer form of this non-invasive techniques is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) which has been shown to improve cognitive processes such as working memory (includes comprehension, reasoning and learning).

A/Prof Kate Hoy

Recently, research conducted by Associate Professor Kate Hoy and colleagues from the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) has focused on a closely related form of brain stimulation called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). This method of stimulation is thought to induce changes in the brain which more closely mimics natural brain activities.

In this study, healthy individuals were given tACS, tDCS or a sham brain stimulation across separate testing sessions, at least one week apart. Working memory was tested before and after treatment via a series of computerised tasks. Results revealed that working memory was improved in participants following tACS when undertaking more difficult memory tasks. This was not seen in participants treated with tDCS or the sham treatment. 

These results provide a platform for ongoing investigations into tACS and how it may be used to improve cognition.

Reference: Hoy KE, Bailey N, Arnold S, Windsor K, John J, Daskalakis ZJ, Fitzgerald PB. The effect of γ-tACS on working memory performance in healthy controls. Brain Cogn. 2015 Dec; 101:51-6

doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2015.11.002

Participants sought: Can brain stimulation improve memory and attention?

A study participant engages in a memory task

Dr Kate Hoy's team at MAPrc is currently conducting a number of projects looking at the use of brain stimulation for the treatment of cognitive impairment in people with head injuries or with schizophrenia. 

Participants sought: Are you interested in a non-medication treatment for depression?

Does concurrent transcranial direct current stimulation augment the antidepressant efficacy of cognitive control training for major depression?

This study is looking at whether cognitive control training can help alleviate the symptoms of depression. It is also investigating whether a mild form of brain stimulation called transcranial electrical stimulation can be used to boost the impact of cognitive control training. Transcranial electrical stimulation is a safe, mild and non-invasive means of stimulating nerves cells in the brain.

Participants sought: Can gentle brain stimulation improve cognition in people who have had a mild to moderate head injury ?

We are seeking volunteers between 18 and 65 years of age who have developed memory and attention problems following a mild to moderate head injury. We are testing whether combining gentle electrical stimulation with ‘brain training’ can improve memory and attention following a head injury.

Participants sought: Can transcranial direct current stimulation enhance second language learning?

See more about the study: ccs-clin-trials.med.monash.edu.au/trials/can-transcranial-direct-current-stimulation-enhance-second-language-learning

Healthy adults are sought between the ages of 18 and 45 to help investigate the influence of gentle brain stimulation on learning. MAPrc researchers are investigating whether gentle electrical stimulation can improve people's ability to learn a second language.

Participants sought: High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Memory Enhancement

Photo: MAPrc

The Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) is currently seeking healthy right-handed volunteers aged between 18 to 60 years to take part in a study using Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to improve memory and brain plasticity. tDCS is a safe, painless and non-invasive means of stimulating nerve cells in the brain. Participation will involve attending the MAPrc for three separate 2-3 hour testing sessions.