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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02587338

Cognitive Ability Training in Seniors

This study investigates the beneficial effects of prefrontal brain stimulation (with transcranial direct current stimulation [tDCS]) during working memory training in seniors with subjective memory impairments.The placebo-controlled double blinded study includes 50 elderly probands which were randomized into verum or sham tDCS.

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Key information

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Mental Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders

Age range

60 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University hospital

Würzburg, 97080, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • native german speaker
  • between 60-70 years old
  • subjective memory impairment

Exclusion criteria

  • psychiatric, neurological diseases
  • uncorrected hearing or vision deficits
  • actual psychopharmaco intake
  • metal parts in the head
  • medical electronical implants

Treatment and study plan

verum tDCS

Device

Neuropsychological (Working memory) training for 30 minutes, 6 sessions tDCS during training with 2000 microampere left anodal, right cathodal

Sham tDCS

Device

Neuropsychological (Working memory) training for 30 minutes, 6 sessions tDCS during training with 0 microampere

Primary outcomes

  1. Neuropsychological Performance in Neuropsychological Test: Verbal Learning Memory Test (VLMT)

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    The Investigators are measuring cognitive performance for different executive functions, here the score (percentile of the norm values) of the test verbal learning memory test (VLMT), parameter immediate recall post treatment is reported. Rage from 0 to 100 %. Higher values indicate higher performance.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Brain Activation Measured With Near-infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) During the Semantic Condition of the Verbal Fluency Task (VFT)

    Time frame: 4 weeks

    NIRS is a brain imaging method, with the parameters of oxy (OxyHB) and deoxy (deoxyHB) hemoglobin. Activation is reflected by increase of OxyHB and decrease DeoxyHB. Differences from pre- to post-measurement for OxyHB are reported in a region of interest analysis of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wuerzburg University Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Verbesserung Kognitiver Fähigkeiten im Alter

Acronym: CATS

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Oct 27, 2015
Registry last updated
Mar 12, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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