Rhythmic Light Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease Patients
United States52 participantsStarted 2022-01-10
Plain-language summary
The investigator will investigate how light delivering 40 hertz (Hz) affects subjective sleep and cognition in a controlled laboratory study. A lab study will allow the collection of electroencephalogram (EEG) data, perform cognitive tests, and observe the response in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to a healthy control group (HC).
Participants will attend two study sessions over the course of two weeks. During both sessions, all participants will experience 10 minutes of a low-level light, followed by a data collection period which involves a sleepiness rating, an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording, and a computerized memory test. Participants will then experience either a RL or a placebo RL condition for one hour, after which there will be a second data collection.
Who can participate
Age range
55 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:
* Participants must be diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease, as defined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score between 17 and 25
* For the age-matched healthy controls, participants must not be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease related dementias (MoCA score above 25).
* Participants must score a 5 or less in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Exclusion Criteria:
* All participants must not be taking sleeping medication or oral melatonin
* Presence of another brain disease that fully explains the dementia (extensive brain vascular disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, traumatic brain injury, or multiple sclerosis)
* residence in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care
* Major organ failure (e.g., kidney failure)
* Uncontrolled generalized disorders such as hypertension or diabetes
* Obstructing cataracts, macular degeneration, and blindness
* Severe sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome
* History of epilepsy
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
Change in Electroencephalography (EEG) Power at 40 Hertz (Hz)
Timeframe: baseline and during the light intervention