RecruitingNot Applicable

Neural Control of Gait & Navigation in ADRD

United States60 participantsStarted 2025-11-13

Plain-language summary

Brain network segregation, or independent functioning, declines with age and is associated with slower walking speed. Here, the investigators will determine the extent to which brain vestibular network segregation can be altered with bilateral vestibular cortical transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in older adults with subjective cognitive decline. Participants will be randomly assigned to an active or sham stimulation condition. They will receive three, 20-minute sessions of tDCS while they are walking and performing cognitive tasks. MRI of the brain will be acquired before and after these three sessions.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years – 89 Years

Sex

ALL

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AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Community dwelling men and women 18-35 years old or 65-89 years old * Ability to walk unassisted for ten minutes * Willingness to undergo all testing procedures * English speaking Additional Inclusion Criteria for those with SCD * Subjective report of cognitive complaints with scores \>16 on the Cognitive Change Index (CCI-20), a validated scale of subjective cognitive decline (Saykin et al., 2013). This scale consists of 20 items that are rated on 5 point Likert scale, where 1= "Normal: No change compared to 5 years ago", 3= "Mild Problem: Some change compared to 5 years ago) and 5="Severe Problem: Much worse compared to 5 years ago".) * No evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment based on cognitive screening (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score within normal limits for age, education and sex using the NACC Uniform Data Set (UDS) norms (Weintraub et al., 2018)\[119\] * No psychometric evidence of cognitive impairment based on performance on the Neuropsychological Battery from the NACC Unified Data Set, version 3\[119\]. The battery includes measures of attention, recent memory, language, visuospatial, and executive function. Norms are available for over 3600 older adults \[119\]. Scores on these measures cannot be lower than 1.0 SD (16th %ile) below normative values based on age, education, and gender. * Reading at \> 8th grade level based on the reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test- IV. * Global Clinic Dementia Rati…

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

Vestibular network segregation score, measured with functional MRI

Timeframe: Pre-intervention, within 1 week post-intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06501820

SponsorUniversity of Florida

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-05-01

Contact for this trial

Rachael Seidler

(734) 834-0385 rachaelseidler@ufl.edu

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Aging trials