CompletedNot Applicable

Cognitive Outcomes of Brain Stimulation As a Later-in-Life Treatment

United States27 participantsStarted 2023-05-01

Plain-language summary

This is a pilot study being done to attempt to improve episodic memory problems in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The pre-supplemental motor area (preSMA) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) have been shown to play a role in episodic memory and language retrieval. Prior studies have suggested that neurostimulation targeting this region can improve episodic memory and word recall. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the preSMA/dACC region and its influence on word retrieval and other cognitive functions in patients with MCI. Entraining the preSMA/dACC circuit with 10 sessions of HD-tDCS will allow us to study whether neurostimulation may be an effective treatment.

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: Active diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Female and male subjects, All races/ethnicities, Age 55 years and older, Fluent in English, Exclusion Criteria: Lifetime history of major neurologic syndromes (e.g., epilepsy, brain tumor, etc), Substance use disorder within the past year, Has metal fragments in skull/head, Current vision or hearing impairment that interferes with testing, Current medication use known to alter HD-tDCS reactivity

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

Changes in Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test Score

Timeframe: Pre-treatment, post-treatment (immediately following last HD-tDCS session), and 8 weeks post-treatment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT05564715

SponsorUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-06-03

Results submitted2026-04-22

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Mild Cognitive Impairment trials