dTMS for Subjective Cognitive Decline

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Subjective Cognitive Decline; Alzheimer Disease
• Interventions: Device: Active Brainsway H7-Coil Deep TMS System; Device: Sham Brainsway H7-Coil Deep TMS System; Other: Cognitive Training

• Registration Number: NCT06095063
• Lead Sponsor: Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest

Brief Summary

Deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) is a brain stimulation technique that involves generating a brief magnetic field in a coil that is placed on the scalp. The magnetic field passes through the skull and induces a weak electrical current in the brain that briefly activates neural circuits at the stimulation site. The Brainsway dTMS H7-Coil is able to target an area of the brain that has been shown in studies to be linked to greater resilience to cognitive decline. In this study, the investigators will combine dTMS with cognitive training in older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and examine the effect of this treatment on memory, other cognitive abilities, and mood. In addition, the investigators will examine the combined effects of dTMS and cognitive training on brain activity as measured using electroencephalography (EEG).

Approximately 30 older adults from ages 55 to 70 with SCD and a positive family history of Alzheimer's disease will be enrolled in this study.

Detailed Description

This study will examine the effects of combining cognitive remediation with neurostimulation using deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) and the H7-coil to target the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in older adults at risk for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thirty older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and a family history of AD will participate in a single-site randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over trial of dTMS of the ACC in conjunction with active cognitive remediation for both sham and dTMS interventions. The primary goal of the study is to establish the feasibility of dTMS and cognitive training as a means to improve cognitive abilities in SCD. Secondary goals are to obtain preliminary evidence of improvement in executive function and memory abilities following dTMS and cognitive training. This trial is a first step towards developing effective neurostimulation protocols to reduce cognitive decline in older adults at risk for developing AD.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-10-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-10-20
• Study First Posted: 2023-10-23
• Study Start: 2023-11-15
• Status Verified: 2024-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-17
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-23
• Primary Completion: 2026-10-01
• Study Completion: 2026-11-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• have a family history of late onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) as defined by having a first degree relative, living or deceased, with a probable or confirmed diagnosis of AD
• have subjective memory decline and concern about memory changes
• score 26 or higher on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
• are willing to provide informed consent
• are able to follow the treatment schedule
• are stable on medications for 2 months and are not expected to change medication during the entire study period (if they are taking medications)
• have a satisfactory safety screening questionnaire for TMS
• have an informant/study partner who is able to complete study questionnaires regarding the participant

Exclusion Criteria

• have a metal plate in their head, except in the mouth (such as an ear implant, implanted brain stimulators, aneurysm clips)
• have known increased pressure or a history of increased pressure in their brain, which may increase their risk for having seizures
• have a cardiac pacemaker
• have an implanted medication pump
• have a central venous line
• have a significant heart condition
• have current depression or a history of any psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or dementia other than AD
• have a history of substance abuse in the last 6 months
• have a history of stroke or other brain lesions
• have a personal history of epilepsy
• have a family history of epilepsy
• are a pregnant or breast-feeding woman
• have a history of abnormal MRI of the brain
• have significant hearing loss requiring use of hearing aids
• have untreated hypo- or hyper-thyroidism
• have TMS contraindications
• have unstable medical condition(s)
• regularly use benzodiazepines or other hypnotics within 2 weeks of randomization

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
20 sessions of dTMS and Cognitive Training	Active Brainsway H7-Coil Deep TMS System	Participants will receive dTMS followed by computerized cognitive training. dTMS: The motor threshold (MT) will be measured by delivering single stimulations to the motor cortex with gradually increased intensity. After defining the MT, the coil will be positioned anterior to the hot spot using the ruler on the participant's cap, and a dTMS session will be performed with the dosing of the stimulus intensity titrated slowly to approximately 120% of the motor threshold. On Day 1 of the treatment, stimulation will be delivered at an intensity ranging from 80% to 100% of the participant's MT depending on their initial tolerance to the stimulation. Stimulation intensity will then be slowly titrated by sequentially increasing the intensity by 10% over the remaining days of the first week until a maximum intensity of 120% of MT is achieved depending on the tolerability of the patient. Immediately following dTMS, participants will complete 20-30 minutes of cognitive training.
20 sessions of dTMS and Cognitive Training	Cognitive Training	Participants will receive dTMS followed by computerized cognitive training. dTMS: The motor threshold (MT) will be measured by delivering single stimulations to the motor cortex with gradually increased intensity. After defining the MT, the coil will be positioned anterior to the hot spot using the ruler on the participant's cap, and a dTMS session will be performed with the dosing of the stimulus intensity titrated slowly to approximately 120% of the motor threshold. On Day 1 of the treatment, stimulation will be delivered at an intensity ranging from 80% to 100% of the participant's MT depending on their initial tolerance to the stimulation. Stimulation intensity will then be slowly titrated by sequentially increasing the intensity by 10% over the remaining days of the first week until a maximum intensity of 120% of MT is achieved depending on the tolerability of the patient. Immediately following dTMS, participants will complete 20-30 minutes of cognitive training.
20 sessions of sham/control stimulation and Cognitive Training	Sham Brainsway H7-Coil Deep TMS System	Participants will receive sham intervention followed by computerized cognitive training. The sham intervention consists of treatment with similar technical parameters which induce scalp sensations but do not penetrate into the brain. Immediately following dTMS, participants will complete 20-30 minutes of cognitive training.
20 sessions of sham/control stimulation and Cognitive Training	Cognitive Training	Participants will receive sham intervention followed by computerized cognitive training. The sham intervention consists of treatment with similar technical parameters which induce scalp sensations but do not penetrate into the brain. Immediately following dTMS, participants will complete 20-30 minutes of cognitive training.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of scheduled treatment sessions that are attended by study participants	19 weeks	There are in total 20 sessions of dTMS intervention and 20 sessions of sham stimulation.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in baseline memory performance on a neuropsychological battery	19 weeks	Memory score from the neuropsychological battery at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Change in baseline in scores on the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI).	19 weeks	The GAI is a 20-item self-report measure of anxiety developed for older adults. Administration time is approximately 5 minutes.; The scores at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Change in baseline in scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q)	19 weeks	The NPI assesses dementia-related behavioural symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, dysphoria, anxiety, euphoria, apathy, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor activity, night-time behavioural disturbances and appetite and eating abnormalities. Administration time is approximately 15 minutes.; The scores at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Change in executive function performance on a neuropsychological battery	19 weeks	Executive function scores from the neuropsychological battery at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Change in baseline in scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).	19 weeks	GDS is a 15-item self-report scale that measures an elderly individual's mood. A score greater than 5 suggests that the individual may be depressed. Administration time is approximately 5 minutes.; The scores at baseline will be compared to 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
Change in slow wave and resting state activity	17 weeks	Measured with electroencephalography (EEG) following 4 weeks of intervention and at 1-month follow-up.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Ontario, Canada