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Behavioural Intervention

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease

Phase < 1
Recruiting
Research Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Between the ages of 40-99
Native English speakers
Must not have
History of head trauma involving loss of consciousness or alteration in consciousness
Subjects who have a first degree relative (e.g., father, mother or sibling) with a seizure disorder
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline and post-treatment day 11
Awards & highlights

Summary

"This trial aims to study the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on memory in older adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment. The study will use a technique called repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (

Who is the study for?
This trial is for older adults with good general health who have Alzheimer's, various types of cognitive impairments, or memory issues. They should be able to undergo MRI scans and attend multiple study visits over several weeks. People with metal implants in their head, seizure history, or severe psychiatric conditions cannot participate.
What is being tested?
The study tests repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique aimed at improving memory and brain function. Participants will receive rTMS daily on weekdays for two separate 10-day periods with a break in between.
What are the potential side effects?
rTMS may cause discomfort at the stimulation site, headache, lightheadedness, or seizures in rare cases. Most side effects are mild and temporary.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am between 40 and 99 years old.
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I am a native English speaker.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have had a head injury that made me lose or alter my consciousness.
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A close family member of mine has epilepsy.
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I am not on any anti-amyloid treatments due to risk of bleeding and seizures.
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I do not have any implants or metal that would prevent me from having an MRI.
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I have had seizures without any clear cause.
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I have a diagnosed brain lesion.
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I am not taking, nor planning to take, any medication known to highly increase the risk of seizures.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline and post-treatment day 11
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline and post-treatment day 11 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Changes in Brain Network Connectivity
Changes in Memory

Trial Design

1Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: AD, aMCI, lvPPA patients, and preclinical ADExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
All participants will receive the same study interventions in a within-subject crossover design.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Active rTMS
2019
Completed Phase 2
~400
Sham rTMS
2008
Completed Phase 3
~1020

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Massachusetts General HospitalLead Sponsor
2,993 Previous Clinical Trials
13,230,691 Total Patients Enrolled
~7 spots leftby Mar 2025
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