Cognitive Flexibility Clinical Trial
Official title:
Modulation of Cognitive Flexibility by Tyrosine Depletion and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and dopamine (DA) have been implicated in the
control of cognitive flexibility. However, while a great deal of what it is know regarding a
causative relationship between cognitive flexibility and its neuronal underpinning comes from
animal studies, human data have largely been correlational (i.e. imaging investigations). In
a recent study, the current research group examined whether putative increases in dopamine
levels through tyrosine administration and blockage of these by cathodal (i.e. inhibitory)
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the dlPFC could be causally related to
cognitive flexibility as measured by task switching and reversal learning.
The next step involves finding a way of lowering dopamine concentrations while anodal (i.e.
excitatory) stimulation of the dlPFC is applied and cognitive flexibility measured. One
experimental approach to reduce global DA synthesis and transmission is through acute
phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion (APTD). This dietary intervention involves the
administration of an amino-acid mixture lacking in tyrosine and phenylalanine, which can be
used to selectively lower DA synthesis in humans.
n/a
| Status | Clinical Trial | Phase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruiting |
NCT06267521 -
The STRENGTHEN Study
|
N/A |