Daily Light and Sound Stimulation to Improve Brain Functions in Alzheimer's Disease (NCT04055376) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
Daily Light and Sound Stimulation to Improve Brain Functions in Alzheimer's Disease
United States15 participantsStarted 2019-08-14
Plain-language summary
In this trial, the safety and effect of daily exposure to light and sound stimulation on people with mild Alzheimer's Disease (AD) will be studied.
COVID-19 Amendment: Due to the ongoing suspension of all in-person humans subject research across MIT in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all enrolled participants who have not completed their 6-month visit will have their visit postponed to 9 months with a follow up at 18 months. Subjects who have completed their 6-month visit will still be instructed to continue and return at Month 12 for an evaluation.
OPTIONAL: If the subject would like to come in for an evaluation between Month 9 and 18, we will invite participants to come on Month 12 to complete cognitive testing and EEG.
Who can participate
Age range
50 Years – 100 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Subject is between the ages of 50 - 100.
* Subject must have mild Alzheimer's disease with a Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of 19 -26.
* Subject is willing to sign informed consent document.
* If subject is deemed to not have capacity to sign the informed consent, he/she will need a legally authorized representative to provide surrogate consent.
* Subjects whose primary residence is within 2 hours of Boston
* Able to complete the 1st month of at home stimulation at their primary residence; if subjects plan to spend more than 1 week away from their primary residence during the trial, their inclusion must be assessed by the research team.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Subjects who do not have healthcare.
* Subjects who are being treated with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (eg. Memantine).
* Subjects on medications that lower seizure threshold such as wellbutrin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc.
* Subjects with history of seizure or epilepsy within the past 24 months.
* Subjects with clinically significant suicide risk and/or suicide attempt in the past 12 months.
* Subjects with behavioral problems such as aggression/agitation/impulsivity that might interfere with their ability to comply with protocol.
* Active treatment with one or more anti-epileptic agent.
* Subjects who have had a stroke within the past 24 months.
* Subjects diagnosed with migraine headache.
* Active treatment with one or more psychiatric agent (e.g. antidepressants,…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Feasibility of at-home light and sound stimulation: amount of time of device usage per day
Timeframe: Over 6 or 9 months (or over 12 or 18 months for subjects who choose to continue the daily device usage for 6 or 9 additional months)
2
Safety of daily at-home light and sound stimulation: questionnaire
Timeframe: Over 6 or 9 months (or over 12 or 18 months for subjects who choose to continue the daily device usage for 6 or 9 additional months)