TMS for Investigating Memory Facilitation
- Conditions
- Age-associated Memory Impairment
- Interventions
- Device: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Cone CoilDevice: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Sham Coil
- Registration Number
- NCT05462782
- Lead Sponsor
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
- Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) following a Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) protocol on the memorization capacity of elderly individuals. For this purpose, we will apply TMS synchronized with a working memory (WM) task and assess its effects on cortical connectivity and memorization capacity by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and WM task learning. This study will be carried out in an older population of healthy participants. We will use the study results to refine the task related PAS protocol towards enhancing memory performance and brain connectivity.
- Detailed Description
The fundamental objective is to evaluate the changes derived from the specific Paired Associative Stimulation (PAS) protocol applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) towards the hippocampus to enhance memory in an older population. We will evaluate the following effects: 1) Changes in memory capacity using task performance of the working memory (WM) task and calculating the correctly memorized items; and 2) Changes in brain connectivity using resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI) and comparing the correlated activity between areas related to the process of memorization.
In order to understand the memory and brain connectivity changes derived from the PAS intervention more specifically, we will characterize the stimulation localization, the Inter Stimulus Interval (ISI) timing and rule out training and placebo effects. To research if the PAS effects are specific to the stimulated brain area, we will conduct a control group in which stimulation will be delivered to the primary motor area (M1). Then, we will compare the outcome measures (changes in memory capacity and brain connectivity) between the different brain areas. To characterize the ISI, our goal is to calculate the synchronization timing that triggers cortical plastic changes. Thus, we will test two different ISI between the TMS pulse delivery and memorization task. Finally, to differentiate the effects that are derived from the PAS versus the effects from repetition of the task or placebo effects, we will conduct another control group with Sham TMS stimulation and reproduce the same experimental procedures as the group that receives the TMS stimulation. Sham TMS is used in this study to compare if brain stimulation (active TMS) can help improve memory compared to receiving no brain stimulation (sham TMS).
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- TERMINATED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 1
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Active TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Cone Coil Older healthy participants will be scanned with MRI and undergo memory task synchronized PAS with an active TMS in each visit with different stimulation localization and ISIs. Sham TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Sham Coil Older healthy participants will be scanned with MRI and undergo memory task synchronized PAS with a sham TMS coil in each visit with different ISIs application.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in resting state functional MRI connectivity Compared during each visit between baseline and 30 minutes after intervention The neural connectivity index that we will assess responds to the strength of synaptic connections between neurons and over time. The identification of correlations between remote brain areas will be tested by resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). We will compare the connectivity network after intervention time with baseline and sham group. Correlations of spontaneous modulations in the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal will be analyzed and regions with similar functional properties under resting conditions will be detected. This analysis is able to identify significant long-lasting effects of active stimulation (vs. sham) on brain connectivity.
Changes in Working Memory (WM) capacity Compared during each visit between baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 30 minutes after intervention The WM task utilized is a customized version of the masking task model, presented by Sana Inoue and Tetsuro Matsuzawa, in 2007. This task is organized in three phases: 1) Waiting phase: a visual cue is presented to indicate the initiation of the trial; 2) Coding and retention phase: numbers are presented in a random arrangement within a 5x5 square matrix; and 3) Recall phase: the numbers disappear, leaving a white background as a clue, and the subject completes the task by pressing the squares in the matrix following the incremental order of the numbers. (Figure 2). The task ends either when the subject makes a mistake or completes correctly selecting all numbers in incremental order. The outcome measure for WM capacity is the amount of correctly remembered items (hit items) of each trial.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
🇺🇸Chicago, Illinois, United States