tACS Improves Memory in Elders With Subjective Memory Complaints

NCT05569902 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: tACS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Subjective memory complaints (SMC), the main cognitive component of which is event memory, is a predictor of Alzheimer's disease in elderly people. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with theta frequency (6 Hz) on the medial prefrontal cortex in the improvement of episodic memory in individuals with SMC in a double blind, randomized, and sham-controlled parallel study. Sixteen participants with SMC received either active or sham theta tACS on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). EEG was recorded and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was administered. The aim of the current study was to see if theta tACS over the mPFC can improve event memory in individuals with SMC and thus can be considered a potential therapeutic intervention for this population or not.

Conditions

Memory Deficits; tACS

Keywords

Episodic memory; medial Prefrontal Cortex; tACS; SMC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in performance

  Rey auditory-verbal learning test (RAVLT)

  25 minutes i.e., before versus after the stimulation

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in EEG power in theta frequency band

  30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation

• Change in phase synchronization connectivity in theta frequency band

  30 minutes, i.e., before versus after stimulation

Study Arms (2)

Active tACS

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group received 20 minutes of active 6 Hz stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.

Device: active tACS

Sham tACS

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants in this group received 20 minutes of sham stimulation over the medial prefrontal cortex.

Device: sham tACS

Interventions

active tACS DEVICE

transcranial alternating current stimulation is a non-invasive method of entraining specific frequency bands in the brain by applying weak intensities of electric current in a desired shape and phase to the desired brain regions.

Active tACS

sham tACS DEVICE

transcranial alternating current stimulation is a non-invasive method of entraining specific frequency bands in the brain by applying weak intensities of electric current in a desired shape and phase to the desired brain regions.

Sham tACS

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being 50 or older,
• Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) grade from 27 to 30
• Total score of 58 or more on the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ)
• no indications of depression and anxiety measured by Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
• No sign of dementia based on Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, 5th edition (DSM-V) criteria

You may not qualify if:

• History of a major psychological or neurological condition
• History of head trauma leading to unconsciousness,
• Presence of metal in the head
• History of seizures
• Serious cardiovascular disease
• Use of medications with an impact on cognitive functions
• Recent use of alcohol or substance abuse

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Tehran: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Brain Mapping Lab

Tehran, 1439957131, Iran

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Memory Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Reza Rostami, M.D.

  University of Tehran

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Sahereh Varastegan, MSc

  University of Tehran

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2022
• First Posted: October 6, 2022
• Study Start: October 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2022
• Study Completion: August 1, 2022
• Last Updated: October 10, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IR (1)