MR Guided tDCS in Alzheimer's Disease

University of Tromso (UiT)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Alzheimer's Disease

Treatments: Other: Anodal tDCS; Other: Sham tDCS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT03325205

2017/794 (REK)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of High Density- tDCS (HD- tDCS) on cognitive function in Alzheimer's Disease. One anode and four return electrodes are placed over DLPFC, where low intensity current (2mA) is induced to the surface of the scalp. Electrode placement is individualized for each participant. Participants will undergo 15 stimulations, with a duration of 20 minutes each. All patients will undergo neuropsychological assessment and MRI evaluation.

Full description

The project will be run as a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), where patients will be randomized to receive either active anodal tDCS or sham tDCS. The performance on neuropsychological tests will be the primary outcome variables in the present project. In addition, whole brain MRI volume measures will be used to measure specific effects of tDCS treatment. Electrode placement is individualized for each participant with brain modeling techniques.

Enrollment: 19 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50 to 85 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Alzheimer's Disease, mild and moderate stage

Exclusion criteria

• Other neurological diseases or injuries
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Psychiatric disorders (moderate/ severe depression, psychosis)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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19 participants in 2 patient groups

Active tDCS

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive anodal tDCS over DLPFC. Each sessions lasts for 20 minutes, with a total of 15 stimulations: 6 acute sessions, 9 maintenance sessions.

Treatment:

Other: Anodal tDCS

Sham tDCS

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive sham tDCS over DLPFC. Each sessions lasts for 20 minutes, with a total of 15 stimulations: 6 acute sessions, 9 maintenance sessions.

Treatment:

Other: Sham tDCS