Feasibility of Gamma Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Reduce Beta-amyloid Load and Improve Memory
- Conditions
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Interventions
- Device: Transcranial alternating current stimulation
- Registration Number
- NCT04646499
- Lead Sponsor
- University of California, San Francisco
- Brief Summary
This project assessed the feasibility of transcranial alternating current stimulation in the gamma band to lower beta-amyloid load and improve memory performance.
- Detailed Description
Thirteen individuals with aMCI received eight 60-minute sessions of 40-Hz (gamma) transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in a single-arm design. Outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 14
- 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
- Self-reported memory complaint
- Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment
- Amyloid positive
- 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)
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- SINGLE_GROUP
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Gamma Stimulation Group Transcranial alternating current stimulation This group will receive gamma stimulation
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Drop Out post-tACS, up to 1 month Drop out rate will be assessed as the number of participants who withdraw or are withdrawn from the study.
Side Effects Average of all post-tACS sessions, up to 1 month Side effects were measured on a scale from 0 (not noticable) to 10 (not tolerable): headache, neck pain, scalp pain, tingling, itching, burning sensation, increased sleepiness, trouble concentrating, acute mood change, and phosphenes. Average rating across all measures reported as indicator of side effects.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in Tau pre-tACS (baseline), post-tACS (after one month of treatment) Plasma tau levels was assessed pre and post intervention. Change was calculated as post minus pre. Greater decrease is better.
Beta Amyloid Load Change pre-tACS (baseline) and post-tACS (1 month) Change in plasma-based beta amyloid (AB) load was assessed as the AB42/40 ratio, calculated as post minus pre AB42/40 ratio. Greater increase is better.
Memory: Recall Change pre-tACS (baseline), post-tACS (after one month of treatment) Episodic memory was assessed pre and post intervention as the number of words correct during the short delay free recall portion of the California Verbal Learning Test. Change was assessed as post minus pre. Greater increase is better.
Memory: Fluency Change pre-tACS (baseline), post-tACS (after one month of treatment) Episodic memory fluency was assessed pre and post intervention from performance on the FAS task. Unit of measurement is the number of words names starting with the letter f, a, or s. Change was calculated as post minus pre. Greater increase is better.
Memory: Paired Associates Change pre-tACS (baseline), post-tACS (after one month of treatment) Episodic memory was assessed pre and post intervention from memory accuracy for a paired associates task for visual objects. Change was assessed post minus pre. Greater increase is better.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of California, San Francisco
🇺🇸San Francisco, California, United States