Alpha tACS in Dementia With Lewy Bodies

NCT05188105 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: NP4758
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Brain oscillations are ubiquitous in the human brain and have been implicated in cognitive and behavioral states defined in precisely tuned neural networks. In neurodegenerative disorders, neurodegeneration is accompanied by changes in oscillatory activity leading to the emerging concept of neurological and psychiatric disorders as "oscillopathies". Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which is the second most frequent cause of neurodegenerative dementia, is characterized by an important alteration of brain oscillations. The restoration of oscillations by neuronal entrainment in animal models of neurodegenerative disease has shown a significant reduction in the neuropathological load of toxic proteins, with a consequent significant increase in cognitive performance. Transcranial alternating current brain stimulation (tACS), is a neurophysiological method of non-invasive modulation of the excitability of the central nervous system that is having an increasingly numerous spectrum of potential therapeutic applications. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in modulating the natural frequencies of cerebral oscillation, underlying multiple cognitive processes such as verbal memory, perception and working memory. On the basis of these premises, the treatment with alpha tACS is proposed in patients with DLB. In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, cross-over study, the investigators will evaluate whether a single stimulation with alpha tACS on the occipital lobes can improve symptoms in patients with DLB.

Conditions

Dementia With Lewy Bodies; Lewy Body Disease

Keywords

Dementia with Lewy bodies; Lewy Body Disease; Alpha stimulation; transcranial alternating current stimulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in Visual Search Task Test scores

  The visual search task requires participants to determine whether a target (such as a particular letter, shape, or image) is present in an array of other stimuli. The task consists of two parts, each with 64 stimuli, for a total of 128 stimuli. Participants are asked to look at the screen and press a button if the target stimulus is present or another button if the target stimulus is absent. After pressing the chosen button, a feedback will appear on the screen that will tell the subject if his answer is correct or incorrect. Subjects must respond as quickly as possible, otherwise the answer will be considered missed and they will proceed to the next screen. The score ranges from 0 (worse performance) to 128 (best performance).

  40 minutes after the start of the intervention

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Changes in Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test scores

  Baseline (immediately before the intervention) - Immediately after the intervention

• Changes in Trail Making Test Part A

  Baseline (immediately before the intervention) - Immediately after the intervention

• Changes in Trail Making Test Part B

  Baseline (immediately before the intervention) - Immediately after the intervention

• Changes in relative alpha power in occipital EEG leads

  Baseline (immediately before the intervention) - Immediately after the intervention

• Change in SAI measurements

  Baseline (immediately before the intervention) - Immediately after the intervention

Study Arms (2)

real tACS

EXPERIMENTAL

Single session of alpha tACS (12 Hz) at 3 mA over the occipital cortex.

Device: Alpha tACS (12 Hz) over the occipital cortex

sham tACS

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Single session of sham tACS over the occipital cortex.

Device: Alpha tACS (12 Hz) over the occipital cortex

Interventions

Alpha tACS (12 Hz) over the occipital cortex DEVICE

Single session of alpha tACS (12 Hz) over the occipital cortex

real tACS; sham tACS

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Dementia with Lewy bodies (criteria according to McKeith, Neurology 2017).

You may not qualify if:

• Cerebrovascular disorders, previous stroke, hydrocephalus, and intra-cranial mass documented by MRI.
• History of traumatic brain injury or other neurological diseases.
• Serious medical illness other than DLB
• History of seizures
• Pregnancy
• Metal implants in the head (except dental fillings)
• Electronic implants (i.e. pace-maker, implanted medical pump)
• Age \<18 years

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia: lead

Study Sites (1)

ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia

Brescia, BS, 25123, Italy

Location

Related Publications (16)

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  PMID: 28592453 BACKGROUND

• Franciotti R, Pilotto A, Moretti DV, Falasca NW, Arnaldi D, Taylor JP, Nobili F, Kramberger M, Ptacek SG, Padovani A, Aarlsand D, Onofrj M, Bonanni L; E-DLB consortium. Anterior EEG slowing in dementia with Lewy bodies: a multicenter European cohort study. Neurobiol Aging. 2020 Sep;93:55-60. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.04.023. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

  PMID: 32450445 BACKGROUND

• Aoki Y, Kazui H, Pascal-Marqui RD, Ishii R, Yoshiyama K, Kanemoto H, Suzuki Y, Sato S, Hata M, Canuet L, Iwase M, Ikeda M. EEG Resting-State Networks in Dementia with Lewy Bodies Associated with Clinical Symptoms. Neuropsychobiology. 2019;77(4):206-218. doi: 10.1159/000495620. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

  PMID: 30654367 BACKGROUND

• Schumacher J, Thomas AJ, Peraza LR, Firbank M, Cromarty R, Hamilton CA, Donaghy PC, O'Brien JT, Taylor JP. EEG alpha reactivity and cholinergic system integrity in Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2020 Apr 22;12(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s13195-020-00613-6.

  PMID: 32321573 BACKGROUND

• Schumacher J, Taylor JP, Hamilton CA, Firbank M, Cromarty RA, Donaghy PC, Roberts G, Allan L, Lloyd J, Durcan R, Barnett N, O'Brien JT, Thomas AJ. Quantitative EEG as a biomarker in mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2020 Jul 8;12(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s13195-020-00650-1.

  PMID: 32641111 BACKGROUND

• Bonanni L, Franciotti R, Nobili F, Kramberger MG, Taylor JP, Garcia-Ptacek S, Falasca NW, Fama F, Cromarty R, Onofrj M, Aarsland D; E-DLB study group. EEG Markers of Dementia with Lewy Bodies: A Multicenter Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis. 2016 Oct 18;54(4):1649-1657. doi: 10.3233/JAD-160435.

  PMID: 27589528 BACKGROUND

• Pascarelli MT, Del Percio C, De Pandis MF, Ferri R, Lizio R, Noce G, Lopez S, Rizzo M, Soricelli A, Nobili F, Arnaldi D, Fama F, Orzi F, Buttinelli C, Giubilei F, Salvetti M, Cipollini V, Franciotti R, Onofri M, Fuhr P, Gschwandtner U, Ransmayr G, Aarsland D, Parnetti L, Farotti L, Marizzoni M, D'Antonio F, De Lena C, Guntekin B, Hanoglu L, Yener G, Emek-Savas DD, Triggiani AI, Paul Taylor J, McKeith I, Stocchi F, Vacca L, Hampel H, Frisoni GB, Bonanni L, Babiloni C. Abnormalities of resting-state EEG in patients with prodromal and overt dementia with Lewy bodies: Relation to clinical symptoms. Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Nov;131(11):2716-2731. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.09.004. Epub 2020 Sep 23.

  PMID: 33039748 BACKGROUND

• van Dellen E, de Waal H, van der Flier WM, Lemstra AW, Slooter AJ, Smits LL, van Straaten EC, Stam CJ, Scheltens P. Loss of EEG Network Efficiency Is Related to Cognitive Impairment in Dementia With Lewy Bodies. Mov Disord. 2015 Nov;30(13):1785-93. doi: 10.1002/mds.26309. Epub 2015 Jul 16.

  PMID: 26179663 BACKGROUND

• Briel RC, McKeith IG, Barker WA, Hewitt Y, Perry RH, Ince PG, Fairbairn AF. EEG findings in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1999 Mar;66(3):401-3. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.66.3.401.

  PMID: 10084544 BACKGROUND

• Bonanni L, Thomas A, Tiraboschi P, Perfetti B, Varanese S, Onofrj M. EEG comparisons in early Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease with dementia patients with a 2-year follow-up. Brain. 2008 Mar;131(Pt 3):690-705. doi: 10.1093/brain/awm322. Epub 2008 Jan 17.

  PMID: 18202105 BACKGROUND

• Massa F, Meli R, Grazzini M, Fama F, De Carli F, Filippi L, Arnaldi D, Pardini M, Morbelli S, Nobili F. Utility of quantitative EEG in early Lewy body disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2020 Jun;75:70-75. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2020.05.007. Epub 2020 May 24.

  PMID: 32480310 BACKGROUND

• Dauwan M, van Dellen E, van Boxtel L, van Straaten ECW, de Waal H, Lemstra AW, Gouw AA, van der Flier WM, Scheltens P, Sommer IE, Stam CJ. EEG-directed connectivity from posterior brain regions is decreased in dementia with Lewy bodies: a comparison with Alzheimer's disease and controls. Neurobiol Aging. 2016 May;41:122-129. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.02.017. Epub 2016 Feb 21.

  PMID: 27103525 BACKGROUND

• Babiloni C, Del Percio C, Lizio R, Noce G, Lopez S, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Nobili F, Arnaldi D, Fama F, Aarsland D, Orzi F, Buttinelli C, Giubilei F, Onofrj M, Stocchi F, Stirpe P, Fuhr P, Gschwandtner U, Ransmayr G, Garn H, Fraioli L, Pievani M, Frisoni GB, D'Antonio F, De Lena C, Guntekin B, Hanoglu L, Basar E, Yener G, Emek-Savas DD, Triggiani AI, Franciotti R, Taylor JP, Vacca L, De Pandis MF, Bonanni L. Abnormalities of resting-state functional cortical connectivity in patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's and Lewy body diseases: an EEG study. Neurobiol Aging. 2018 May;65:18-40. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.12.023. Epub 2017 Dec 30.

  PMID: 29407464 BACKGROUND

• Babiloni C, Del Percio C, Lizio R, Noce G, Cordone S, Lopez S, Soricelli A, Ferri R, Pascarelli MT, Nobili F, Arnaldi D, Aarsland D, Orzi F, Buttinelli C, Giubilei F, Onofrj M, Stocchi F, Stirpe P, Fuhr P, Gschwandtner U, Ransmayr G, Caravias G, Garn H, Sorpresi F, Pievani M, Frisoni GB, D'Antonio F, De Lena C, Guntekin B, Hanoglu L, Basar E, Yener G, Emek-Savas DD, Triggiani AI, Franciotti R, De Pandis MF, Bonanni L. Abnormalities of cortical neural synchronization mechanisms in patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's and Lewy body diseases: an EEG study. Neurobiol Aging. 2017 Jul;55:143-158. doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.03.030. Epub 2017 Apr 5.

  PMID: 28454845 BACKGROUND

• Tavakoli AV, Yun K. Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Mechanisms and Protocols. Front Cell Neurosci. 2017 Sep 1;11:214. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00214. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28928634 BACKGROUND

• Klink K, Passmann S, Kasten FH, Peter J. The Modulation of Cognitive Performance with Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation: A Systematic Review of Frequency-Specific Effects. Brain Sci. 2020 Dec 2;10(12):932. doi: 10.3390/brainsci10120932.

  PMID: 33276533 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lewy Body Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Dementia; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Barbara Borroni, MD

  ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Alberto Benussi, MD

  ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2021
• First Posted: January 12, 2022
• Study Start: October 18, 2021
• Primary Completion: March 10, 2024
• Study Completion: March 20, 2024
• Last Updated: March 28, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Data will be shared after the study completion indefinitely.
• Access Criteria: Reasonable request

Locations

IT (1)