Effects of Individualized Theta-tACS on a Working Memory Training at SCD

Launched by UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TUEBINGEN · Jul 9, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring how a special type of brain stimulation, called individualized theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (ITF-tACS), can help improve working memory in older adults who feel like their memory is declining, a condition known as subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The study will involve participants undergoing three days of training focused on spatial working memory, which is the ability to remember and use information about where things are in space.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be at least 60 years old, have experienced memory decline for more than six months without a clear reason, and be right-handed. They should also have good eyesight and understand German well enough to give their consent and follow instructions. However, people with certain mental health conditions, significant depression or anxiety, a history of seizures, or those with specific medical devices like pacemakers will not be allowed to participate. If you join the study, you can expect to engage in memory training exercises while receiving this brain stimulation, with the goal of helping you improve your memory skills.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • age \>/= 60 years
• • subjective cognitive decline with a duration \> 6 month and without a concrete cause
• • right-handedness (score \> 48 in the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI; Oldfield, 1971))
• • corrected or sufficient eyesight
• • sufficient knowledge in German
• • ability to consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • neuropsychiatric diagnose
• • score \> 13 in the DemTect (Kalbe et al., 2019)
• • score \> 4 in the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS-SF; Sheikh \& Yesavage, 1986)
• • score \> 16 Geriatric Anxiety Scale German version(GAS-G; Gottschling et al., 2016)
• • substance abuse or dependence
• • epileptic seizure in medical history
• • metall in skalp-area
• • pacemaker
• • gravidity
• • psychiatric medication
• • benzodiazepines in a dosage \> 1 mg Lorazepam
• • participation in a tACS in history