Using electrical stimulation to improve cognitive symptoms in Parkinson's disease

Investigation of the Benefits of Electrical Non-invasive Stimulation on Cognitive Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease

Not applicable Interventional Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France · NCT05808504

This study is testing if a type of electrical stimulation can help improve thinking skills like working memory in people with Parkinson's disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorInstitut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France Government
Locations1 site (Rennes)
Trial IDNCT05808504 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of non-invasive electrical stimulation on cognitive symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease, particularly focusing on inhibition processes that are crucial for daily behavior adaptation. Participants will undergo neuropsychological and neurological assessments, cognitive tasks, and EEG monitoring while receiving either real or sham transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). The goal is to determine if this stimulation can enhance cognitive functions such as working memory in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and no major cognitive impairments.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairments or significant motor difficulties may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new non-invasive treatment option to improve cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results using non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for cognitive enhancement, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

For all participants:

* Affiliation to a social security scheme or beneficiary of such a scheme.
* Age over 18 years old.
* Age less than 75 years old
* Correct or correctly corrected view (on simple declaration by the patient).
* Subject having received information on the protocol and having provided informed and written consent to participate.

Criteria exclusive to patients:

\- Idiopathic Parkinson's disease according to United Kingdom Parkinson's criteria Brain Bank disease (Hughes et al., 1992).

Exclusion Criteria:

For all participants:

* Major cognitive impairment (Moca \< 22) or severe neurocognitive disorder according to DSM-V (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders -V);
* Motor difficulties preventing the achievement of the task.
* Drug or alcohol addiction.
* Adult subject to legal protection (safeguard of justice, curatorship, guardianship), persons deprived of liberty.
* Present or past moderate to severe psychiatric pathology (obsessive compulsive, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.).
* Potential for pregnancy or confirmed pregnancy. A pregnancy test will be performed on inclusion.for women of childbearing age.

Criteria exclusive to patients:

* Present or past neurological pathology other than Parkinson's disease (accident stroke, head trauma, etc.).
* Deep brain stimulation treatment.

Exclusive to healthy participants:

\- Present or past neurological pathology.

Where this trial is running

Rennes

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 Parkinson DiseaseTranscranial alternating current stimulationInhibitionCognitive symptomHigh resolution encephalographyParkinson disease
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.