RecruitingNot Applicable

Links Between Cognitive Deficits During Normal or Pathological Aging and Slow Waves Measured in EEG

France90 participantsStarted 2025-04-24

Plain-language summary

With age, memory processes (encoding, consolidation and retrieval) as well as daytime vigilance are altered. Sleep is also impaired in older adults, notably slow waves that are known to play a key role in memory consolidation. Interestingly, some slow waves can also be detected in EEG recordings during wakefulness, and have been related to vigilance fluctuations. The investigators believe that slow waves, during both sleep and wakefulness, could constitute a common biomarker of sleep disturbances and daytime vigilance problems. A dysregulation of slow waves could thus explain the impact of aging on the different memory processes. Since alterations in memory capacity, attention, and sleep quality are further exacerbated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the investigators propose to study the links between aging (normal and pathological), sleep and daytime vigilance alterations, and their impacts on the different key stages of memory. The investigators will examine the associations between slow waves and changes in memory and vigilance in normal and pathological aging by studying young adults, seniors without cognitive disorders, and patients with prodromal AD. By replaying sensory cues associated with learning material during sleep, the investigators will also evaluate the effectiveness of auditory stimulation during sleep to enhance memory consolidation in older adults without and without cognitive deficits. Overall, this study aims to better understand the relationships between slow waves, aging, memory, and vigilance, providing insights into cognitive decline and potential interventions in aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 85 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.

* Common Inclusion Criteria for All Three Groups: Male or female Signed informed consent Affiliated with a social security system Native French speakers Completed at least 7 years of schooling (minimum 9th grade level) Specific Inclusion Criteria for Each Group: Patients: Age: 60 to 85 years Prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease diagnosed according to international diagnostic criteria, characterized by a clinical phenotype of progressive amnesic syndrome of the hippocampal type, associated with biological markers of Alzheimer's disease 1) from lumbar puncture (Aβ \< 600 pg/mL and ptau \> 60 pg/mL)or 2) amyloid PET (positron emission tomography), or 3) with positive plasma Alzheimer's biomarkers Cognitively Healthy Seniors: Age: 60 to 85 years Age and sex matched with the Patients group "Cognitively healthy" status defined by a score of ≥ 26 on the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), a score of ≥ 16 on the BREF (Batterie Rapide d'Efficience Frontale), and a score of ≥ 8 on the 5-word test Young Adults: Age: 18 to 35 years Sex matched with the Patients group "Cognitively healthy" status defined by a score of ≥ 26 on the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination), a score of ≥ 16 on the BREF (Batterie Rapide d'Efficience Frontale), and a score of ≥ 8 on the 5-word test

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

slow waves density

Timeframe: 2 days

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06501495

SponsorAssistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-04

Contact for this trial

Marc Teichmann, MD

01 42 16 75 34 marc.teichmann@aphp.fr

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aging trials