tACS Improves Memory in Elders With Subjective Memory Complaints

University of Tehran

Status: Completed

Conditions: tACS; Memory Deficits

Treatments: Device: active tACS; Device: sham tACS

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05569902

tACS

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 16 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 50+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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16 participants in 2 patient groups

Active tACS

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group received 20 minutes of active 6 Hz stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.

Treatment:

Device: active tACS

Sham tACS

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group received 20 minutes of sham stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.

Treatment:

Device: sham tACS