Cathodal tDCS in MCI: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study

Mild Cognitive Impairment Clinical Trial

Official title:

Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03521089
• Other study ID #: 16-007478
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 20, 2018
• Est. completion date: May 31, 2019

Study information

• Verified date: March 2020
• Source: Mayo Clinic
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This study evaluates the application of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in adults aged 55-85. Half of the participants will receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), while the other half will receive sham (like placebo) stimulation.

Description:

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether giving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment using an investigational device called the Soterix tES Device (tDCS device) on the right side of the brain can improve performance on cognitive tests. Investigational means that the tDCS device is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use in this study.

tDCS is a non-invasive way to electrically stimulate the brain. The tDCS device is portable and runs on two 9-volt batteries. Electrodes from the tDCS device carry weak electrical current through the scalp and skull and into the brain. When the direction of the electric current flow is called cathodal, the brain under the site of stimulation reduces its activity.

When tasks are performed, certain parts of the brain are activated. Research studies have shown that younger adults and older adults activate similar parts of the brain when performing the same task (a memory task, for example). However, other researchers found older adults who scored worse on memory tasks, and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment, activated an additional part of the brain so both sides of the brain are activated. Researchers are not sure whether this additional activation is helpful or not. Investigators in this study believe that this extra activation may be contributing to worse performance on tasks.

It may be possible to use tDCS to reduce the brain activity on the extra activation (right) side in older adults, to resemble an activation pattern seen in younger adults (or higher scoring cohort). Using cathodal tDCS to reduce brain activity might help the brain in performing tasks.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 16
• Est. completion date: May 31, 2019
• Est. primary completion date: May 31, 2019
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 55 Years to 85 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or female outpatients with confirmed MCI diagnosis

• Age 55-85

• Right handed (tested using the Edinburgh handedness inventory)

• Total PHQ-8 of = 16 which signifies no severe depression

• All participants and/or caregivers must be able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurodegenerative disease (e.g. Parkinson's, Huntington's, Multiple Sclerosis) other than MCI

• Previous brain lesion

• Intracranial abnormality such as prior stroke

• History of seizure disorder or epilepsy

• A "true" positive response, after patient clarification, to any question on the modified TMS/tDCS Adult Safety Screen questionnaire that would impact patient safety

• Any history of brain stimulation treatment (e.g., electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), vagal nerve therapy (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS))

• Use of any investigational drug within 4 weeks

• Cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines; acute or unstable cardiac disease; intracranial implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head (exception: mouth/dental work) that cannot be safely removed

• Known or suspected pregnancy (extremely unlikely as the age range for this study is 55-85 years)

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cognitive Dysfunction
• Cognitive Impairment
• Mild Cognitive Impairment
• Neurocognitive Dysfunction

Intervention

Device:
• Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001
Transcranial direct current stimulation works by sending constant, low direct current through the electrodes. When these electrodes are placed in the region of interest, the current induces intracerebral current flow. This current flow then either increases or decreases the neuronal excitability in the specific area being stimulated based on which type of stimulation is being used. This change of neuronal excitability leads to alteration of brain function, which can be used in various therapies as well as to provide more information about the functioning of the human brain.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Mayo Clinic in Arizona	Scottsdale	Arizona

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Mayo Clinic

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test Scores	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1-month post intervention
Primary	Change in Picture Vocabulary Test Scores	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention
Primary	Change in List Sorting Working Memory Test Scores	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention
Primary	Change in Dimensional Change Card Sort Test	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention
Primary	Change in Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test Scores	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention
Primary	Change in Picture Sequence Memory Test v2.1 Score	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention
Primary	Change in Oral Reading Recognition Test Score	Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.	Baseline, 1 month post intervention

External Links

•   Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials