Cognitive training with tDCS for memory and thinking in older adults with recurrent depression

You may qualify if

• Age > 60 years
• Evidence of executive dysfunction via SUBJECTIVE COMPLAINTS (At least one subdomain of the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function in Adults (BRIEF-A) at T > 65, or At least one average score of > 1.5 on Planning, Organization, or Attention subdomains of the Everyday Cognition Scale (ECog)) or OBJECTIVE PERFORMANCE (At least one demographically adjusted z-score > -1.0 SD below the mean on a measure of executive functioning (Digits backward, Trails B, or total Verbal Fluency) on the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set 3.0).
• DSM-5 diagnosis of a current or past (within last 3 years) depressive episode (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)) via the using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5).
• Presence of 2 or more lifetime depressive episodes to be considered "recurrent."
• Either stable antidepressant regimen for at least 6 weeks or no current antidepressant treatment (no plans to change treatment over course of study).
• Fluent in English

You can't join if

• Other psychiatric conditions via the SCID-5 (including history of bipolar disorder and psychosis, excluding comorbid anxiety disorders)
• Severe depression (MADRS score > 29)
• Acute suicidality on clinical evaluation by study clinician and via response on MADRS item 10 (score of 4 or more would require further assessment)
• Acute grief (occurring within past month)
• History of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder of moderate or greater severity in the last 12 months
• Medications that would significantly interfere with tDCS effects (i.e., sodium channel blockers, GABA-ergic or glutamatergic drugs; see Appendix B for exclusionary list)40
• Primary neurological disorder (e.g., epilepsy, brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia diagnosis)
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) < 23
• Primary amnestic cognitive profile (>1.5 SD below demographically-adjusted mean on NACC memory measures in context otherwise normal cognitive profile, or per clinician judgement)
• Any physical or intellectual disability affecting ability to complete assessments
• Unstable medical illness needing urgent treatment
• MRI contraindications
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in last 2 months
• Current involvement in psychotherapy
• Current involvement in other research studies (including but not limited to: neuromodulation [TMS or tDCS] or investigational drug studies). Observational studies [without intervention] are acceptable.