TMS for Investigating Memory Facilitation

Age-associated Memory Impairment Clinical Trial

Official title: Task Paired Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Working Memory Potentiation

Status Terminated

Clinical Trial 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.

Clinical Trial 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). ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Age-associated Memory Impairment

• NCT number: NCT05462782
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 5, 2022
• Completion date: April 3, 2023