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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03351452

tES Effects on Associative Memory Performance

Previous studies showed that transcranial electric stimulation (tES) applied over the prefrontal cortex improves cognitive performance in healthy elderly adults as well as in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, tES methods might be a useful intervention tool for patients suffering from memory impairment in early terms of the disease.

The present study aims at establishing a connection between the stimulation-induced changes on associative memory performance and its underlying neurophysiological parameters. tES effects and their underlying mechanisms will be compared between healthy elderly controls and clinical study populations receiving either real or sham tES over the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex during an associative memory task.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Alzheimer Disease Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Dementia Mental Disorders Mild Cognitive Impairment Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

60 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Bern, 3000, Switzerland

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Written informed consent
  • Non-smokers
  • Right-handedness
  • Native German speakers or comparable level of fluency
  • Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion criteria

  • Neurological or psychiatric condition (other than diagnosed cognitive impairment)
  • Past head injuries
  • Magnetizable implants
  • History of seizures
  • Current or life-time alcohol or drug abuse
  • Skin diseases

Treatment and study plan

real anodal transcranial direct current stimulation

Device

The MR-compatible neuroConn DC-Stimulator MR (neuroCare Group, Ilmenau, Germany) will be used.

real transcranial alternating current stimulation

Device

The MR-compatible neuroConn DC-Stimulator MR (neuroCare Group, Ilmenau, Germany) will be used.

sham transcranial electric current stimulation

Device

The MR-compatible neuroConn DC-Stimulator MR (neuroCare Group, Ilmenau, Germany) will be used.

Primary outcomes

  1. Performance on immediate cued recall task

    Time frame: 20 min

    Number of correct responses on retrieval task of previously learned associative memory items

  2. Performance on delayed cued recall task

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Number of correct responses on retrieval task of previously learned associative memory items

Secondary outcomes

  1. task-dependent BOLD activity

    Time frame: 20 min

    Measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

  2. resting-state BOLD activity

    Time frame: 10 min

    Measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)

Other outcomes

  1. Performance on cued recall task

    Time frame: follow-up after 24 hours

    Number of correct responses on retrieval task of previously learned associative memory items

  2. Performance on recognition task

    Time frame: follow-up after 24 hours

    Number of correct responses on retrieval task of previously learned associative memory items

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Bern

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Transcranial Electric Stimulation on Associative Memory Formation in Healthy Elderly Participants as Well as in Individuals With Memory Impairment

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2018
Study completion
2020
First posted
Nov 22, 2017
Registry last updated
Mar 13, 2020

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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