Magnetic brain stimulation for frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Official title: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
Run by Università degli Studi di Brescia · NCT07316413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will try repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to see if it is safe and helps people with frontotemporal lobar degeneration or asymptomatic people at risk.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Università degli Studi di Brescia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brescia, Italy) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 13, 2025 |
| Main results expected | September 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | February 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | January 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07316413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are people with a diagnosis of FTLD (bvFTD, avPPA, svPPA, CBS, or PSP) with a global CDR plus NACC FTLD score of 1 or less, as well as asymptomatic individuals with a family history who can participate in the protocol.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant cerebrovascular disease, intracranial masses, hydrocephalus, a history of epilepsy or serious unrelated medical conditions, metallic or electronic head implants, or more advanced dementia are unlikely to benefit or to be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
The trial delivers theta-burst rTMS or sham stimulation to participants diagnosed with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (including bvFTD, semantic and agrammatic PPA, corticobasal syndrome, and PSP) and to asymptomatic individuals at risk. Participants receive clinical and neuropsychological assessments, MRI screening, repeated stimulation sessions, and collection of clinical and biological outcome measures to track safety, feasibility, symptom changes, and biomarkers. Standard exclusions include cerebrovascular disease, intracranial masses, prior head trauma, epilepsy, serious unrelated medical conditions, and metallic or electronic implants that preclude TMS. The protocol also seeks clinical and biological predictors of response to inform future larger trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, rTMS could provide a safe way to reduce behavioral and language symptoms or improve brain network function in people with FTLD.
How similar studies have gone: rTMS has shown safety across multiple neurological and psychiatric conditions and some promising signals in other neurodegenerative disorders, but its application specifically in FTLD remains relatively limited and exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * diagnosis of FTLD (bvFTD, avPPA, svPPA, CBS, or PSP) * global CDR plus NACC FTLD ≤ 1 Exclusion Criteria: * presence of cerebrovascular disease, hydrocephalus, intracranial masses identified by MRI, history of head trauma, serious medical conditions unrelated to FTLD, history of epilepsy, and presence of electronic (e.g., pacemaker) or metallic implants in the head.
Where it's running
-
IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio - Fatebenefratelli Brescia
Brescia, Italy, Italy Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.