Gamma tACS to Improve Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment (NCT07752316) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Gamma tACS to Improve Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Iran30 participantsStarted 2024-03-02
Plain-language summary
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a decline in memory and thinking that exceeds normal aging but does not substantially disrupt daily life, and it raises the risk of developing dementia. Effective treatments for its cognitive difficulties are few.
This study tests whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a non-invasive method that delivers a weak oscillating electrical current through scalp electrodes, can improve thinking and memory in older women with MCI. The current oscillates at 80 Hz, a frequency in the gamma range, because gamma brain rhythms support memory and attention and are disrupted in MCI.
Thirty older women with MCI are randomly assigned to receive either active 80 Hz tACS or sham (placebo) stimulation. Participants and the person delivering the stimulation do not know the group assignment. Both groups complete the same cognitive tests before and after the sessions, measuring overall cognitive status, planning, visuospatial working memory, and reaction speed. The aim is to determine whether active 80 Hz tACS improves cognitive performance more than sham stimulation.
Who can participate
Age range
60 Years – 75 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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:
* Female, aged 60 to 75 years
* Diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) established by a psychiatrist and documented in the patient's medical record
* Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score between 16 and 22
* Written informed consent to participate in the study
* No history of Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy, schizophrenia, or congenital olfactory and gustatory disorders
Exclusion Criteria:
* Inability to tolerate the adverse effects of the stimulation
* Unwillingness to continue the sessions
* Absence from more than three intervention sessions
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
1
Overall cognitive status
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-intervention), week 2 (immediately after the intervention)
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07752316
SponsorThe National Brain Mapping Laboratory (NBML)