tACS Improves Memory in Elders With Subjective Memory Complaints

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Memory Deficits; tACS
• Interventions: Device: sham tACS; Device: active tACS

• Registration Number: NCT05569902
• Lead Sponsor: University of Tehran

Brief Summary

Subjective memory complaints (SMC), the main cognitive component of which is event memory, is a predictor of Alzheimer's disease in elderly people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with theta frequency (6 Hz) on the medial prefrontal cortex in the improvement of episodic memory in individuals with SMC in a double blind, randomized, and sham-controlled parallel study. Sixteen participants with SMC received either active or sham theta tACS on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). EEG was recorded and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was administered. The aim of the current study was to see if theta tACS over the mPFC can improve event memory in individuals with SMC and thus can be considered a potential therapeutic intervention for this population or not.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-10-01
• Primary Completion: 2022-06-01
• Study Completion: 2022-08-01
• Study First Submitted: 2022-09-24
• Status Verified: 2022-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-10-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-10-05
• Study First Posted: 2022-10-06
• Last Update Posted: 2022-10-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

• Being 50 or older,
• Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) grade from 27 to 30
• Total score of 58 or more on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ)
• no indications of depression and anxiety measured by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
• No sign of dementia based on Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria

Exclusion Criteria

• History of a major psychological or neurological condition
• History of head trauma leading to unconsciousness,
• Presence of metal in the head
• History of seizures
• Serious cardiovascular disease
• Use of medications with an impact on cognitive functions
• Recent use of alcohol or substance abuse

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sham tACS	sham tACS	Participants in this group received 20 minutes of sham stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.
Active tACS	active tACS	Participants in this group received 20 minutes of active 6 Hz stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in performance	25 minutes i.e., before versus after the stimulation	Rey auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in EEG power in theta frequency band	30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation	Spectral analysis measuring power in different frequency bands
Change in phase synchronization connectivity in theta frequency band	30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation	Phase relations between neural signals realized by means of phase-locking values (PLV)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Brain Mapping Lab; 🇮🇷 Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of