Investigating brain stimulation effects on memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment
A Mechanistic Study to Investigate tDCS and Working Memory in MCI Patients
This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help improve memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairment compared to those without memory issues.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 110 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years to 95 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gainesville, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT05998031 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory in older adults with mild cognitive impairments (MCI) compared to cognitively healthy individuals. It employs a crossover design with both active and sham stimulation, enrolling 110 participants aged 60-95. The study utilizes multi-modal neuroimaging and computational modeling to assess changes in cognitive function and brain structure. The goal is to understand how tDCS can enhance neural plasticity and improve working memory performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults aged 60-95 with mild cognitive impairment and a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or above.
Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MRI or those with neurological disorders, psychiatric conditions, or significant medical issues may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to new non-invasive treatments for improving memory in older adults with cognitive impairments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using tDCS for cognitive enhancement, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria * Age 60-95 years * Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score 18 and above (scores will be adjusted for education) * Able to receive electrical stimulation * Ability to comprehend conversational voices * Adequate motor capacity to operate computer mouse and click-button in-scanner * Ability to participate in the intervention and attend training sessions Exclusion Criteria * Failure to provide informed consent * Contraindications to MRI recording (e.g., any kind of ferrous metallic stents or ferrous metal objects in the body, heart valve prosthesis, or other metal implants, claustrophobia, neurostimulation system, defibrillator, pacemaker, or other implanted device) * Left-handed, or left hand dominant * History of neurological, seizures, and psychiatric disorders, traumatic brain injury, incidence of stroke involving large vessel * Terminal illness with life expectancy less than 12 months, as determined by physician * Brain tumor or malformation or any foreign body known or previously identified in brain * Cancer in active treatment, besides skin cancer * Currently on GABAergic or glutamatergic medications, or on calcium or sodium channel blockers, which alter or block the ability of tDCS to facilitate tissue excitability * Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder * Severe sensory impairment * Inability to communicate in English * Severe visual impairment, which would preclude completion of the assessment and/or intervention * No physical impairment precluding motor response or lying still for an hour in the scanner that could confound study findings * Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms as defined by scoring 10 or above on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Where this trial is running
Gainesville, Florida
- University of Florida — Gainesville, Florida, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Aprinda I Queen, PhD — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Aprinda I Queen, PhD
- Email: aimstudy@phhp.ufl.edu
- Phone: 3522948990
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.