Feasibility of Gamma Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation to Reduce Beta-amyloid Load and Improve Memory

University of California San Francisco (UCSF)

Status

Completed

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Treatments

Device: Transcranial alternating current stimulation

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

NIH

Identifiers

NCT04646499

R21AG060335 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

131887a

Details and patient eligibility

About

This project assessed the feasibility of transcranial alternating current stimulation in the gamma band to lower beta-amyloid load and improve memory performance.

Full description

Thirteen individuals with aMCI received eight 60-minute sessions of 40-Hz (gamma) transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in a single-arm design. Outcome measures were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Enrollment

14 patients

Sex

All

Ages

55 to 80 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

English speaking
Grade 12 or more education
Normal or corrected to normal vision and hearing
Ability to complete cognitive tasks
Ability to cooperate and comply with all study procedures
Ability to tolerate tACS
Self-reported memory complaint
Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment
Amyloid positive

Exclusion criteria

Neurological or psychiatric disorders other than mild cognitive impairment
Receiving investigational medications or have participated in a trial with investigational medications within last 30 days
Family history of epilepsy
Implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemaker)
Prior head trauma
Pregnant
IQ < 80
Taking cholinesterase inhibitory, memantine, or psychotropic medication
Taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication
Color blind
Substance abuse
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration
Amblyopia (lazy eye)
Strabismus (crossed eyes)