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Behavioural Intervention

Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Dan Iosifescu, MD
Research Sponsored by NYU Langone Health
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Age ≥ 65 years and ≤ 85 years.
Meets the Petersen MCI criteria for Amnestic MCI (single and multiple domain) with a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) between 0.5 to 1, and a Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) of 1-3.
Must not have
Other diagnosis of dementia (i.e., not Alzheimer's type), history of brain tumor, MRI evidence of brain damage or brain disease including significant trauma, hydrocephalus, seizures, intellectual disability, or other serious neurological disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders).
History of significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular pathology (e.g., myocardial infarction; stroke).
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up month 3

Summary

This trial will study the effects of t-PBM, a pulsed, 808nm wavelength laser delivery to the forehead, on amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for people aged 65-85 with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's, who have at least a high school education and can consent to the study. Participants need a relative to confirm reports and must fit comfortably in imaging scanners without claustrophobia or metal implants that interfere with MRI.
What is being tested?
The TRAP-AD study tests if tPBM (a type of light therapy) helps brain function in those with memory issues due to aging. It involves daily sessions over 8 weeks, comparing active tPBM against a sham treatment while monitoring changes through advanced brain scans like PET and fMRI.
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects are not detailed here but could include discomfort from wearing the device, skin irritation at application sites, or reactions related to light sensitivity for those undergoing active tPBM treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am between 65 and 85 years old.
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I have mild memory loss that affects my daily life, but I am not severely impaired.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I do not have a history of serious brain conditions or other types of dementia besides Alzheimer's.
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I have had a heart attack or stroke.
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I do not have any unstable health conditions.
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A family member had dementia before turning 60.
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I have serious skin issues on my scalp where a procedure is planned.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~month 3
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and month 3 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Secondary study objectives
Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) Score
Change in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Update (RBANS) Total Scale Index Score.
Change in Systemic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events - Specific Inquiry (SAFTEE-SI) Score
+7 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Transcranial Photobiomodulation (t-PBM)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group II: ShamPlacebo Group2 Interventions
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
18F-MK-6240
2019
Completed Phase 2
~220

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

NYU Langone HealthLead Sponsor
1,415 Previous Clinical Trials
856,257 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institutes of Health (NIH)NIH
2,837 Previous Clinical Trials
8,171,581 Total Patients Enrolled
Alzheimer's AssociationOTHER
99 Previous Clinical Trials
43,319 Total Patients Enrolled
LiteCure LLCIndustry Sponsor
3 Previous Clinical Trials
61 Total Patients Enrolled
Dan Iosifescu, MDPrincipal InvestigatorNYU Langone Health and Nathan Kline Institute
5 Previous Clinical Trials
394 Total Patients Enrolled
Ricardo Osorio, MDPrincipal InvestigatorNYU Langone Health and Nathan Kline Institute
5 Previous Clinical Trials
629 Total Patients Enrolled
Paolo Cassano, MD, PhDPrincipal InvestigatorMassachusetts General Hospital
2 Previous Clinical Trials
47 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Research Study Groups: Sham, Transcranial Photobiomodulation (t-PBM)
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Transcranial Photobiomodulation Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
~15 spots leftby Jun 2025