Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Slow Down Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease (NCT07036328) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Slow Down Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease
Netherlands55 participantsStarted 2025-04-07
Plain-language summary
New amyloid-targeting drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) offer minimal or unclear efficacy and often cause adverse events, highlighting the need for new therapies. In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown increasing success. A recent randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, phase 2 demonstrated promising results from a 24-week rTMS treatment protocol targeting the precuneus. This brain region is considered a main hub of the human brain connectome and a prominent area of AD pathology. The results showed stable cognitive performance and increased brain activity in the treatment group, whereas the sham group worsened. A replication study is planned to further investigate the working mechanism of precuneus-rTMS in AD and to improve understanding of its therapeutic potential.
Who can participate
Age range
50 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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Biomarker-supported Alzheimer's disease (abnormal CSF p-tau/Aβ42 ratio of \> 0.023 or amyloid PET positive).
* Between 50 and 85 years old.
* Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 0.5 or 1.
* Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18 and 27.
* Presence of a caregiver.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Medical history of neurodegenerative diseases other than AD, stroke, or epilepsy.
* Severe psychiatric dysregulation, hampering successful study participation and leading to possible cognitive impairment. Eligibility for participation will be based on clinical evaluation by an expert neurologist and/or psychiatrist.
* Extensive cerebrovascular damage on MRI classified as Fazekas level 2 or 3. Patients with abnormalities classified as Fazekas level 3 are excluded. For Fazekas level 2, patient's eligibility for participation will be evaluated by an expert neurologist.
* Presence of metal in the head or cranial/thoracic implants, including cochlear implants.
* Cholinesterase inhibitors with unstable dosage in the last 2 months.
* Extreme claustrophobia or metallic objects in or on the body, preventing MRI and MEG examination.
* Previous rTMS treatment (for blinding reasons).
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.