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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05569902

tACS Improves Memory in Elders With Subjective Memory Complaints

Subjective memory complaints (SMC), the main cognitive component of which is event memory, is a predictor of Alzheimer's disease in elderly people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with theta frequency (6 Hz) on the medial prefrontal cortex in the improvement of episodic memory in individuals with SMC in a double blind, randomized, and sham-controlled parallel study. Sixteen participants with SMC received either active or sham theta tACS on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). EEG was recorded and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was administered. The aim of the current study was to see if theta tACS over the mPFC can improve event memory in individuals with SMC and thus can be considered a potential therapeutic intervention for this population or not.

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Key information

Conditions

Memory Deficits Memory Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms tACS

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

National Brain Mapping Lab

Tehran, 1439957131, Iran

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Being 50 or older,
  • Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) grade from 27 to 30
  • Total score of 58 or more on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ)
  • no indications of depression and anxiety measured by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
  • No sign of dementia based on Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • History of a major psychological or neurological condition
  • History of head trauma leading to unconsciousness,
  • Presence of metal in the head
  • History of seizures
  • Serious cardiovascular disease
  • Use of medications with an impact on cognitive functions
  • Recent use of alcohol or substance abuse

Treatment and study plan

Active tACS

Device

transcranial alternating current stimulation is a non-invasive method of entraining specific frequency bands in the brain by applying weak intensities of electric current in a desired shape and phase to the desired brain regions.

Sham tACS

Device

transcranial alternating current stimulation is a non-invasive method of entraining specific frequency bands in the brain by applying weak intensities of electric current in a desired shape and phase to the desired brain regions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in performance

    Time frame: 25 minutes i.e., before versus after the stimulation

    Rey auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in EEG power in theta frequency band

    Time frame: 30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation

    Spectral analysis measuring power in different frequency bands

  2. Change in phase synchronization connectivity in theta frequency band

    Time frame: 30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation

    Phase relations between neural signals realized by means of phase-locking values (PLV)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Tehran

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Remember NIBS? tACS Improves Memory Performance in Elders With Subjective Memory Complaints

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Oct 6, 2022
Registry last updated
Oct 10, 2022

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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