RTMS in Older Adults with MCI and AUD

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · May 31, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on older adults who have both Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The goal is to see if rTMS can help reduce heavy drinking and improve thinking skills at the same time, as these two issues often make each other worse. Researchers believe that by addressing both problems together, they can help improve the overall quality of life for participants.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be between 60 and 85 years old, speak English as their primary language, and have a history of heavy drinking (four or more days a week). They also need to show signs of mild cognitive impairment, which means they have some difficulties with thinking or memory. Participants will be carefully screened to ensure they are suitable for the study, and those who qualify can expect to receive rTMS treatments along with assessments to monitor their progress. It's important to note that this study is currently recruiting participants, and those interested should check that they meet the requirements before applying.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 60-85.
• • English as a first/primary language.
• • Current alcohol use disorder
• • Alcohol consumption of at least 4 heavy drinking days (defined as ≥ 4 drinks for women and ≥ 5 for men) per week during the 30-days prior to enrolling;
• • Meets actuarial neuropsychological criteria for MCI: ≥2 impaired scores within one cognitive domain, or ≥1 impaired scores in ≥3 domains, where an impaired score is defined as ≤16th percentile using demographically-corrected norms.
• • Not pregnant (will administer pregnancy test to confirm)
• • Functional visual and auditory acuity to complete all assessments.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Prior diagnosis of Dementia or Major Neurocognitive Disorder per NIA-AA or DSM-5 criteria, and TICS ≤ 22 suggestive of dementia.
• • Current substance use disorder other than AUD or nicotine use disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia spectrum or other psychotic disorder.
• • Daily/weekly anticholinergic or sedative use. Stimulants may be allowed pending investigator review. Cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor antagonists, and antidepressants are allowed if on a stable regimen of 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
• • History of significant or unstable condition/s that may impact cognition such as significant cardiac, cerebrovascular, or metabolic disease, developmental disorder, or other neurologic disease (e.g. movement disorder, moderate to severe brain injury, seizures).
• • MRI and TMS contraindications (e.g. implants, claustrophobia, conditions/treatments that lower seizure threshold, taking medications that have short half-lives, no identifiable motor threshold).
• • Enrolled in a clinical trial or has received an investigational medication or device in the last 30 days.
• • Pregnant (will administer pregnancy test to confirm)