Rhythmic light therapy for mild cognitive impairment
The Use of Rhythmic Light Therapy in Mild Cognitive Impairment
This trial will test whether different patterns of flickering light can boost brain rhythms and thinking in people with mild cognitive impairment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 55 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT07318038 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
In a within-subjects, crossover design, participants with mild cognitive impairment will complete three separate one-hour sessions that differ only by the light stimulation pattern. EEG will be recorded before, during, and after each session while participants experience dual-frequency visual stimulation (10 and 40 Hz), single-frequency visual stimulation (40 Hz), and a non-rhythmic control. Researchers will analyze EEG spectral power and amplitude coupling to measure changes in alpha–gamma neural synchrony and will relate those changes to performance on cognitive tests. Each participant serves as their own control to compare immediate neural and cognitive effects across the three conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with mild cognitive impairment (MoCA score 18–25) who have usable vision and no history of epilepsy, photosensitivity, retinal disease, or another brain disorder explaining their cognitive symptoms.
Not a fit: People with epilepsy or photosensitivity, blindness or retinal disease, or cognitive impairment attributable to another brain disease are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, rhythmic light stimulation could offer a noninvasive way to enhance neural synchrony and improve cognitive performance in people with mild cognitive impairment.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal studies and limited human work using 40 Hz sensory stimulation have shown promising changes in brain rhythms and pathology, but clinical cognitive benefits remain preliminary and not yet established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * History of Mild Cognitive Impairment with a Montreal Cognitive Assessment score between 18 and 25 Exclusion Criteria: * History of epilepsy or photosensitivity * Blindness or other obstructive vision conditions * retinal diseases * presence of another brain disease accounting for their cognitive status
Where this trial is running
New York, New York
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mariana Figueiro, PhD — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Barbara Plitnick
- Email: barbara.plitnick@mountsinai.org
- Phone: 518-242-4603
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.