tDCS + Cognitive Training for Dementia

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Kyrana Tsapkini, PhD

Research Sponsored by Johns Hopkins University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up before intervention, immediately after intervention

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests if non-invasive brain stimulation and computerized cognitive training can improve executive functioning in people with PPA, MCI or dementia.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for right-handed individuals who have been clinically diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer's Disease, based on neuropsychological and language testing, MRI scans, and clinical assessment. Participants must speak English fluently and have at least a high-school education. Those with uncorrected vision/hearing issues, other learning disorders, inability to follow directions, severe psychiatric conditions or previous neurological disorders like stroke are excluded.

What is being tested?

The study tests the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with computerized cognitive training from BrainHQ. The goal is to improve executive functioning in patients with PPA associated with FTD or Alzheimer's Disease pathology as well as those with MCI/Alzheimer's Disease.

What are the potential side effects?

Potential side effects of tDCS may include discomfort at the electrode site such as itching or tingling during application, headache, fatigue after treatment sessions, nausea or insomnia. However individual experiences can vary.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ before intervention, immediately after intervention

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~before intervention, immediately after intervention

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and before intervention, immediately after intervention for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in Executive Composite Outcome

Change in Global Cognitive Scores

Change in language composite outcome

Secondary study objectives

Change in Selective attention and cognitive flexibility

Change in attention and task switching

Change in level of Depressive Symptoms

+1 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Active tDCS on the DLPFC onlyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will receive active tDCS on the DLPFC-only intervention first and then receive active tDCS + Cognitive Intervention(s) after a three-month washout period.

Group II: Active tDCS on the DLPFC + Cognitive Intervention(s)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions

Participants will receive active tDCS on DLPFC + Cognitive Intervention(s) first and then receive only active tDCS Intervention after a three-month washout period.

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