What is this study about? This study focuses on Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a common neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and daily life. We aim to explore whether a non-invasive treatment called Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) can improve AD symptoms by regulating the "gut-brain-intestine axis" - a connection between gut bacteria, the brain, and the intestines. Who can participate? * \*\*AD patients\*\*: Aged 50-80, diagnosed with mild to moderate AD (MMSE score 18-27, MoCA score 10-26), with stable condition for at least 6 months, and able to cooperate with tests and treatment. * \*\*Healthy controls\*\*: Aged 50-80, with normal cognitive function (MMSE ≥28, MoCA ≥27), no AD family history, and matched in age and gender with AD patients. Those with epilepsy, severe mental illness, recent use of antibiotics/probiotics, or inability to complete MRI scans are not eligible. What will participants experience? * \*\*AD patients\*\*: Will be randomly divided into two groups. Both groups will receive 4 weeks of treatment (5 days/week) with a helmet-like device. One group gets real rTMS (safe magnetic stimulation to the brain), and the other gets sham stimulation (no effective magnetic field, but same sound/feel). * \*\*Healthy controls\*\*: No treatment, but will complete the same tests as AD patients. * \*\*Tests during the study\*\*: Cognitive assessments (memory, thinking skills via questionnaires), stool/blood sample collection (to check gut bacteria and body markers), and MRI scans (to look at brain structure/function) at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. What are the potential benefits? * Free rTMS treatment (for AD patients), free MRI scans (valued at 700 RMB), and a 200 RMB subsidy. * Free health checks (gut bacteria analysis, metabolic tests) and cognitive evaluations to understand personal health status. * Contribution to developing new AD treatments that may help future patients. Is it safe? rTMS is a clinically proven safe technique. Possible mild side effects (headache, scalp irritation) usually go away on their own. Sample collection (stool/blood) and MRI scans are non-invasive or minimally invasive. A professional team will monitor participants throughout to handle any issues. For healthcare providers This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind sham-controlled study (200 AD patients, 200 healthy controls). The primary goal is to explore rTMS's mechanism via the gut-brain-intestine axis, with MoCA score changes (6 months post-treatment) as the main outcome. It integrates multi-omics and neuroimaging data to provide evidence for AD's non-drug treatment.
Age range
50 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.
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.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
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.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
MoCA score
Timeframe: Pre-intervention, Periprocedural, and Post-intervention at 1/3/6/12 months