Exercise and brain stimulation for improving memory in patients with vascular cognitive impairment

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effects of exercise combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on memory performance in individuals with vascular cognitive impairment who have completed cardiac rehabilitation. Participants will be randomized into four groups: one receiving exercise followed by active tDCS, another receiving treatment as usual with active tDCS, a third group receiving exercise followed by sham tDCS, and a final group receiving treatment as usual with sham tDCS. The study aims to determine if exercise can prime the brain for better stimulation effects, with assessments of cognition, behavior, neuroimaging, and blood biomarkers. The goal is to find effective interventions for improving cognitive function in at-risk populations.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* ≥50 years of age; females must be post-menopausal
* Presence of cerebrovascular and/or cardiovascular risk factors or coronary artery disease
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) \<27
* Sufficiently proficient in English
* Must be able to exercise at a moderate intensity level
* Presence of modest deficits (1 standard deviation below population norm) in one of the following domains: executive function, verbal memory, working memory, or visuospatial memory

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of stroke
* Change in psychotropics within the last 4 weeks
* Current benzodiazepine use due
* Metal implants that would preclude safe use of tDCS or neuroimaging
* Significant neurological or psychiatric conditions (current major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
* MoCA \<18 and/or clinical diagnosis of dementia
* Any medical contraindications to exercise

Where it's running

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
  Toronto, Ontario, Canada Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Krista Lanctôt, PhD — Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Study coordinator: Mehreen Siddiqui
• Email: mehreen.siddiqui@sri.utoronto.ca
• Phone: 416-480-6100

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.