Transcranial stimulation for early Alzheimer's disease

Effect of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation(tACS) for Early Alzheimer's Disease

Not applicable Interventional Anhui Medical University · NCT06565143

This study is testing if a type of brain stimulation can help improve thinking skills in people with early Alzheimer's disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages50 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorAnhui Medical University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hefei, Anhui)
Trial IDNCT06565143 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on patients with early Alzheimer's disease. Participants will undergo cognitive assessments and receive either tACS or sham treatment over a continuous 14-day period. The study employs a double-blind design, ensuring that both participants and researchers are unaware of treatment allocations to minimize bias. Cognitive performance will be evaluated using various standardized tests before and after the intervention to assess the treatment's efficacy.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease who have mild cognitive impairment and meet specific cognitive assessment criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease or those with significant psychiatric or neurological conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could improve cognitive function in patients with early Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of tACS in cognitive disorders is emerging, this specific application in early Alzheimer's disease is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Subject diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease or related diseases according to NIA-AA criteria.
2. Subjects must have a MMSE score between 10 and 27,indicating mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
3. CDR score ≤ 2.
4. Subject under treatment by IAChE for at least 3 months.
5. psychotropic treatments are tolerated if they were administered and unchanged for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. CDR \> 2
2. Any history or clinical signs of other severe psychiatric illnesses (like major depression,psychosis or obsessive compulsive disorder).
3. History of head injury,stroke,or other neurologic disease.
4. Organic brain defects on T1 or T2 images.
5. History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness.
6. Implanted pacemaker,medication pump,vagal stimulator,deep brain stimulator.
7. Family history of medication refractory epilepsy.
8. History of substance abuse within the last 6 months.

Where this trial is running

Hefei, Anhui

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Transcranial Alternating Current StimulationElectroencephalographyEarly Alzheimer's DiseaseNeuropsychologyAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive SubscaleWorking Memory
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.