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Enhancing Cognitive Control in Mild Cognitive Impairment Via Non-invasive Brain Stimulation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Interventions
Device: Transcranial alternating current stimulation
Registration Number
NCT04647032
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Francisco
Brief Summary

The overall goal of this project is to improve cognitive control abilities in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS).

Detailed Description

30 older adults aged 60-80 years with md-aMCI were randomized to 8 sessions of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with simultaneous cognitive control training (CCT). The intervention took place within the participant's home without direct researcher assistance. Half of the participants received prefrontal theta tACS during CCT and the other half received control tACS. Outcomes were assessed pre and post intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • English speaking
  • Grade 12 or more education
  • Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
  • Ability to complete cognitive tasks
  • Ability to cooperate and comply with all study procedures
  • Ability to tolerate tACS
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment score: 17-28
  • -1 z-score on immediate memory, delayed memory, fluency, processing speed, or task switch
  • Self-reported memory complaint
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Neurological or psychiatric disorders other than mild cognitive impairment
  • Receiving investigational medications or have participated in a trial with investigational medications within last 30 days
  • Family history of epilepsy
  • Implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker)
  • Prior head trauma
  • Pregnant
  • IQ < 80
  • Taking cholinesterase inhibitory, memantine, or psychotropic medication
  • Taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication
  • Color blind
  • Substance abuse
  • Glaucoma
  • Macular degeneration
  • Amblyopia (lazy eye)
  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Delta Stimulation GroupTranscranial alternating current stimulationThis group will receive 1 Hz (delta) stimulation
Theta Stimulation GroupTranscranial alternating current stimulationThis group will receive 6 Hz (theta) stimulation
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Divided Attention PerformancePost-tACS (1-month follow-up), approximately 1 month after baseline

Divided attention was assessed as the difficulty level achieved during perceptual discrimination performance while participants were engaged in the Akili AKL-T01 task. Higher is better.

Sustained Attention PerformancePost-tACS (1-month follow-up), approximately 1 month after baseline

Sustained attention was assessed via response times to visual targets during the continuous performance task. Lower is better.

Working Memory PerformancePost-tACS (1-month follow-up), approximately 1 month after baseline

Working memory was assessed as the average maximum number correct from the ACE-X span tasks - memory for order of illuminated squares

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)Post-tACS (1-month follow-up), approximately 1 month after baseline

Scores on the IADL will be assessed pre and post intervention. Higher scores are better (minimum = 0, maximum = 4).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of California, San Francisco

🇺🇸

San Francisco, California, United States

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