Magnetic brain stimulation for frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Università degli Studi di Brescia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brescia, Italy) |
| Trial ID | NCT07316413 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Brescia, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio - Fatebenefratelli Brescia — Brescia, Italy, Italy (Recruiting)
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.