Zapping the brain to sharpen focus: new study tests the idea
NCT ID NCT06235970
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a gentle electrical current applied to the scalp can improve attention and change brain activity in healthy adults aged 18 to 45. Seventeen participants had their brain waves recorded while they rested or performed computer tasks, both with real and fake stimulation. The goal was to see if mathematical models can predict how the brain responds to stimulation.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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17 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 45 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy younger adults (ages 18 to 45). Community-living men, women or non-binary, aged 18-45 Exclusion criteria: * Taking psychotropic medication or medication with cognitive side effects * Medical disorder that affects cognitive or motor function * Past/present head injury associated with loss of consciousness or neurological sequelae * Prior occurrence of seizure of any origin * Skin conditions affecting the scalp * Scalp tattoos * Rashes, sores or open wounds on scalp or face
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Washington University
St Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States