Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 50 to 90

Testing stronger brain stimulation to improve naming ability in Alzheimer's patients

Official title: Investigating if a Stronger tDCS Intensity is More Effective for Improving Naming Ability in People Living With Alzheimer's Disease

Run by Baycrest · NCT05509387 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if stronger brain stimulation can help people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease improve their naming skills better than the usual strength.

More Alzheimer Disease trials

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages50 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
Enrollment42 (estimated)
SponsorBaycrest
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
StatusRecruiting
StartedSeptember 1, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2025
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedAugust 13, 2024
Trial IDNCT05509387 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease who have a MoCA score between 18 and 25.

Probably not a fit

Patients with a history of stroke, traumatic brain injury, or significant heart disease may not benefit from this study.

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

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) at a higher intensity of 4.0 mA compared to the conventional 2.0 mA in improving naming abilities in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. The goal is to determine if a stronger stimulation can lead to more significant improvements in cognitive function, particularly in naming tasks. Participants will undergo tDCS treatment alongside naming training to assess the impact on their cognitive abilities. The study aims to clarify the optimal parameters for tDCS to enhance its clinical application for Alzheimer's and Frontotemporal dementia.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to more effective non-pharmacological treatments for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown variable success with tDCS, but this specific approach of increasing stimulation intensity is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Mild to Moderate AD
* Score between 18 and 25 on the MoCA
* Score on the Cambridge Naming Task during the pre-assessment

Exclusion Criteria:

* No history of stroke or TBI
* No shunts or metal in the body
* No history of significant heart disease, alcoholism and drug use

Where it's running

  • Baycrest Health Sciences
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.