Gentle brain stimulation to help thinking and walking in dementia
Official title: Multifocal transcranial current stimulation for cognitive and motor dysfunction in dementia
Funded at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged · NIH-11181563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Personalized, non-invasive electrical brain stimulation aims to improve memory, thinking, and walking in older adults with mild dementia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,572,214 |
| NIH project number | 4RF1AG076708-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11181563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with mild Alzheimer's-type dementia who have memory and executive/gait difficulties and can attend repeated clinic visits are the best fit.
✕Less likely to help
People with severe dementia, certain implanted electronic devices, skull defects, or other medical reasons that make brain stimulation unsafe may not be eligible or benefit.
What this research studies
You would receive painless, non-invasive electrical stimulation to specific spots on your head that is tailored to your brain anatomy. The approach combines two types of stimulation—alternating current aimed at memory areas and direct current aimed at thinking and walking areas—planned using computer models and multi-channel electrode placements. Researchers will measure memory tasks, executive function, and walking (including walking while doing a mental task) and track everyday activities and safety over repeated clinic sessions. The goal is to boost the brain networks that support daily function and reduce problems with balance and everyday tasks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve day-to-day memory, thinking, and walking ability, helping maintain independence and safety.
How similar studies have gone: Early and small studies suggest tACS or tDCS can help memory or executive/gait performance, but combining personalized multi-channel stimulation for multiple functions is relatively new and unproven at larger scale.
Where this research is happening
-
Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pascual-Leone, Alvaro — Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for Aged
- Study coordinator: Pascual-Leone, Alvaro
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.