TDCS to Improve Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Jan 4, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating whether a treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help improve thinking and memory skills in patients who have had a minor stroke and are experiencing mild cognitive impairment. The study will involve about 60 participants who will be randomly assigned to receive either the tDCS treatment along with computerized cognitive therapy or a fake version of the treatment (called sham) with the same therapy. Researchers will assess how well participants are doing before and after the treatment using tests that evaluate their cognitive abilities, while also using advanced imaging techniques to look at brain activity over several months.

To be eligible for this study, participants should be adults over 18 years old who have experienced a recent minor stroke, confirmed by an MRI scan. They should not have a history of serious neurological issues or certain other medical conditions that could interfere with the study. Participants will need to visit the University of Maryland for treatment and follow-up sessions, where they can expect to undergo cognitive assessments and brain imaging to track their progress. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to find out if tDCS can be a beneficial treatment for improving cognitive function after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Adults (≥18 years) presenting with neurological symptoms due to acute ischemic stroke (symptom onset within the week prior to admission).
• • 2. Evidence on brain MRI of acute ischemic stroke (imaging negative strokes and TIAs will be excluded).
• • 3. Native English speaker (by self-report) prior to stroke.
• • 4. NIHSS \<8 at initial follow-up visit (approximately 30 days post-stroke).
• • 5. mRS 0-2 at initial follow-up visit.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Primary intracerebral hemorrhage- as evidenced by blood on head CT or MRI.
• • 2. Presence of proximal large vessel occlusion.
• • 3. Cortical exam findings including aphasia or neglect.
• • 4. Prior report or history of dementia or undertreated psychiatric illness.
• • 5. Uncorrected hearing or visual loss.
• • 6. Inability to attend treatment or follow-up sessions.
• • 7. Inability to travel to College Park (UMD) for MEG recording sessions.
• • 8. Presence of any of the following that would lead to significant artifact on MEG: cardiac pacemaker, intracranial clips, metal implants or external clips within 10mm of the head, metal implants in the eyes (unlikely given that all patients will have an MRI and criteria are similar).
• • 9. Claustrophobia, obesity, and/or any other reason leading to difficulty staying in the MEG machine for up to 1 hour.