Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in Patients With Ataxia (SCAtACS)

Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia

Status: Completed

Conditions: CANVAS; Multiple System Atrophy; Spinocerebellar Ataxias; Ataxia; Ataxia With Oculomotor Apraxia

Treatments: Device: Transcranial stimulation over the cerebellar hemispheres

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05621200

NP4514

Details and patient eligibility

About

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects on motor and cognitive performance of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) compared to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and placebo stimulation (sham) in patients with neurodegenerative ataxia to identify a possible rehabilitation protocol.

Enrollment: 26 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with a cerebellar syndrome and quantifiable cerebellar atrophy

Exclusion criteria

• Severe head trauma in the past
• History of seizures
• History of ischemic stroke or hemorrhage
• Pacemaker
• Metal implants in the head/neck region
• Severe comorbidity
• Intake of illegal drugs
• Pregnancy

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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26 participants in 3 patient groups

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Single session of anodal tDCS at 2 mA over the cerebellar hemispheres

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial stimulation over the cerebellar hemispheres

Transcranial alternate current stimulation (tDCS)

Active Comparator group

Description:

Single session of gamma tACS (50 Hz) at 3 mA over the cerebellar hemispheres

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial stimulation over the cerebellar hemispheres

Placebo stimulation (sham)

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Single session of sham tDCS over the cerebellar hemispheres

Treatment:

Device: Transcranial stimulation over the cerebellar hemispheres