The Effects of Specific tDCS on Cognition in MCI

Launched by ISTANBUL MEDIPOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jun 16, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to see if it can help improve thinking and memory in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), particularly those with conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's disease. MCI is a stage where people may experience noticeable memory changes but not severe enough to be diagnosed with dementia. The trial will involve 120 participants aged between 45 and 80, who will receive either the actual treatment or a placebo (sham control) over 14 days. Participants will undergo various tests to evaluate their cognitive function and brain activity before and after the treatment.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be literate, diagnosed with MCI related to Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s, and stable on their current medications for at least a month. Importantly, individuals with other neurological or psychiatric conditions, as well as those who have experienced serious head injuries or have significant hearing or vision problems, cannot participate. Throughout the trial, participants can expect to attend up to 10 sessions of stimulation, each lasting 20 minutes, along with regular assessments to track any changes in their cognitive abilities and brain connectivity. This study aims to provide valuable insights into whether tDCS can be an effective tool in slowing cognitive decline in these populations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Providing an informed consent;
• • 2. Literate and between 45-80 years of age;
• • 3. 60 females and 60 males;
• • 4. Diagnosed with PD based on criteria suggested by UK Parkinson's Disease Society, Brain Bank and PD-MCI in accordance with the diagnostic criteria suggestions by Litvan;
• • 5. Diagnosed with aMCI based on diagnosis criteria (CDR\>0.5) suggested by Petersen;
• • 6. On a stable pharmacological treatment minimum for one month with no washout period.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Illiterate or education level less than primary school
• • Having an existing and/or prior neurological disease; psychiatric disease or head trauma; and/or irreversible hearing or sight problems or other medical illness (e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypertension);
• • Exhibiting signs of dementia for PD group ;
• • Having medical issues that prevent undergoing fMRI or for tDCS application.