Enhancing memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment using brain stimulation
Memory Enhancement Using Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation
This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help improve memory in people with mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 27 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Amsterdam, North Holland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06202872 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at a gamma frequency of 40 Hz on patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease. The approach involves applying tACS to the precuneus region of the brain, which has shown promise in improving episodic memory and increasing gamma power in previous studies. Participants will undergo magnetoencephalography (MEG) to monitor brain activity and network changes before, during, and after the stimulation. The goal is to replicate earlier findings and assess the potential of tACS as a non-invasive treatment for cognitive decline.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals recently diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment confirmed by multidisciplinary assessment and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers.
Not a fit: Patients with serious neurological, psychiatric, or somatic comorbidities, or those with conditions that interfere with MEG recordings, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new non-invasive treatment option to slow or prevent the progression of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar approaches using tACS in patients with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Recent (not more than 6 months ago) amnestic MCI diagnosis, which consensus is obtained in a multidisciplinary meeting after an extended multidisciplinary test battery at the memory clinic, including confirmation of AD pathology with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers: abnormal p-tau/Aβ42 ratio of \> 0.023 Exclusion Criteria: * Suffering from serious neurological, psychiatric or somatic comorbidity * Suffering from epileptic seizures or severe claustrophobia * Intensive use of psychoactive medication * Having a cardiac pacemaker, internal cardiac defibrillator or other intracorporeal device that interferes with MEG recordings
Where this trial is running
Amsterdam, North Holland
- Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands — Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Willem de Haan, dr. — Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA)
- Study coordinator: Willem de Haan, dr.
- Email: w.dehaan@amsterdamumc.nl
- Phone: (0)20 444 0722
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.