RightFit
RecruitingNot applicable

Individual Closed-Loop Neuromodulation Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years to 80 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Mentioned in the study description

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: Questionnaires

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "Patients will undergo an EEG and complete some questionnaires and computer tasks during each study visit."
Compensation
Mentioned in the study description
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether electrical stimulation through the scalp, called tACS, changes brain waves and thinking skills compared with a placebo. It is for people ages 50–80 with mild memory problems likely due to Alzheimer's disease. At each visit, participants will have an EEG to record brain activity and complete questionnaires and computer tasks.

The project is a placebo-controlled study that aims to use closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to study patients with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment which is likely due to Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia (AD-MCI). Patients will undergo an EEG and complete some questionnaires and computer tasks during each study visit. The project has the following aims and hypotheses: 1.) To determine the impact of closed-loop 40 Hz tACS on the entrainment of natural gamma rhythms in patients with AD-MCI, 2.) To determine the impact of closed-loop 40 Hz tACS on cognitive performance in patients with AD-MCI, and 3.) To assess the relationship between baseline neurodegenerative burden and impact of tACS. \[exploratory\]

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Are 50–80 years old.
  • Have mild memory problems likely due to Alzheimer's disease, supported by tests for signs of the disease.
  • Speak English as your first language.

Who can't join

  • Have a known area of brain damage or abnormal growth, such as a brain tumor or damage from a stroke.
  • Have a sudden or worsening active medical condition, including cancer, heart or blood vessel disease, stroke, or heart failure.
  • Have an active blood, kidney, lung, hormone, or liver disorder.
  • Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse lasting more than 10 years that continued through the time your memory or thinking symptoms began.
  • Have a condition that makes tACS unsafe, such as scalp sores or a history of seizures.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Overall cognitive functional status consistent with amnesic MCI (CDR 0.5) likely due to AD (AD biomarker supported) * 50-80 years of age * English native speakers Exclusion Criteria: * Known presence of a structural brain lesion (e.g., tumor, cortical infarct) * Acute or decompensated active medical conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, congestive heart failure * Active hematological, renal, pulmonary, endocrine or hepatic disorders * Longstanding premorbid history (i.e., longer than 10 years) of alcohol or substance abuse with continuous abuse up to and including the time that the symptoms leading to clinical presentation developed * tACS contraindications (lesions in the scalp, history of seizures)

Study sites (1)

MA