Temporal Interference Stimulation Treatment in Patients With Cognitive Impairment
TIS
A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Temporal Interference Stimulation Treatment in Patients With Cognitive Impairment
1 other identifier
interventional
60
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of temporal interference stimulation (TIS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, in improving cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairment. TIS uses two high-frequency currents applied transcranially, which intersect within the brain to generate a low-frequency modulation field. This technique selectively modulates deep brain regions while minimizing the stimulation of superficial cortical layers. Participants will undergo individualized MRI-based modeling to determine the optimal electrode placement and stimulation parameters. The intervention consists of 10 stimulation sessions over a period of 14 days, using either active TIS or sham stimulation. Cognitive assessments, EEG recordings, and functional MRI scans will be conducted at baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; at the end of the 10-day intervention; and during follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention to evaluate both immediate and long-term effects on cognitive performance and neural activity. The study aims to determine whether TIS can serve as a feasible and effective neuromodulation strategy for individuals with cognitive impairment.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Jul 2026
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 1, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 11, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
July 1, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2028
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 1, 2029
June 11, 2026
June 1, 2026
1.9 years
June 1, 2026
June 8, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Changes from Baseline in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) Score
Measures global cognitive function. The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) is a clinician-administered scale commonly used to assess cognitive performance in individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia. Full Scale Name: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog). Typical Total Score Range: 0 to 70. Higher Scores Mean: Greater cognitive impairment (worse cognitive performance).
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Secondary Outcomes (17)
Cross-frequency Neural Oscillations
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Change from baseline in resting-state frontal-temporal EEG functional connectivity strength
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Changes from Baseline in Frontal and Temporal Gray Matter Density (sMRI)
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Changes from Baseline in Cortical Thickness (sMRI)
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
Changes from baseline in ALFF
Baseline; 5 days after intervention initiation; end of the 10-day intervention; and follow-up assessments at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks post-intervention.
- +12 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (3)
Sham TIS + Active TIS + Targeted Cognitive Training
SHAM COMPARATORParticipants will receive sham temporal interference stimulation during the first 5 days, followed by active temporal interference stimulation during the next 5 days. Targeted cognitive training will be administered during the intervention period.
Active TIS + Active TIS + Targeted Cognitive Training
EXPERIMENTALParticipants will receive active temporal interference stimulation during the first 5 days and the next 5 days. Targeted cognitive training will be administered during the intervention period.
Active TIS + Active TIS + General Cognitive Training
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants will receive active temporal interference stimulation during the first 5 days and the next 5 days. General cognitive training will be administered during the intervention period.
Interventions
Temporal interference stimulation will be delivered using two high-frequency alternating currents at 2000 Hz and 2100 Hz, generating a low-frequency envelope. Stimulation will be delivered in a theta-burst-like pattern with 2 seconds on and 8 seconds off. Frontal and temporal targets will be stimulated sequentially. In the sham-controlled group, participants will receive active stimulation during Days 6-10 following 5 days of sham stimulation. In the active stimulation groups, participants will receive active stimulation throughout the entire 10-day intervention period. Two sessions will be administered per day, with each session lasting 40 minutes.
Sham stimulation will use two identical high-frequency currents of 2000 Hz and 2000 Hz, producing no frequency difference and no modulation envelope. The stimulation timing, electrode placement, and procedures will be consistent with active stimulation to maintain blinding. In the sham-controlled group, sham stimulation will be administered during Days 1-5 before switching to active stimulation.
Participants will complete general cognitive training tasks involving multiple cognitive domains without specifically emphasizing the primary targeted cognitive process.
Participants will complete structured cognitive training tasks designed to engage specific cognitive processes associated with the study objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- meets the criteria for probable AD and MCI due to AD as defined by the 2024 National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) guidelines;
- Positive amyloid biomarker (amyloid PET or CSF tTau/Aβ 42);
- Positive tau biomarker (tau-PET or CSF pTau181);
- AD-related standard treatments (acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists) taken at a stable dose for at least 12 weeks prior to baseline.
- meets the criteria for probable bvFTD as defined by the revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (2011), or PPA as defined by the Classification of primary progressive aphasia and its variants (2011);
- Optional genetic confirmation of FTD-related pathogenic mutations (if available).
- Aged between 45 and 85 years, inclusive; no gender limitation.
- Right-handed.
- Education level ≥ 3 years.
- Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 11.
- Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) score of 1 or 2.
- with a reliable caregiver
- Able to cooperate with cognitive assessments and cognitive training procedures.
- Full understanding of the study, voluntary participation, and provision of written informed consent approved by the Ethics Committee.
You may not qualify if:
- Diagnosis of other types of dementia or major neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, epilepsy, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease dementia, Huntington's disease).
- Major psychiatric disorders such as severe depression or anxiety.
- Severe systemic or organ dysfunction (e.g., heart failure III-IV, liver cirrhosis, renal failure).
- Use of medications that significantly affect cognition (e.g., anticholinergics, sedatives), unless approved by the physician.
- Presence of metal implants incompatible with MRI or TIS (e.g., pacemakers, deep brain stimulators).
- Skull defects or cranial abnormalities.
- Inability to tolerate EEG or head stabilization.
- Severe visual or hearing impairment preventing task performance.
- History of alcohol or drug abuse.
- Participation in another clinical trial within the past 3 months.
- Current or recent treatment with anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (e.g., lecanemab, donanemab).
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Tianjin Huanhu Hospitallead
- Tianjin Universitycollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Tianjin Huanhu Hospital
Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China
Related Publications (5)
Li LM, Violante IR, Leech R, Ross E, Hampshire A, Opitz A, Rothwell JC, Carmichael DW, Sharp DJ. Brain state and polarity dependent modulation of brain networks by transcranial direct current stimulation. Hum Brain Mapp. 2019 Feb 15;40(3):904-915. doi: 10.1002/hbm.24420. Epub 2018 Oct 30.
PMID: 30378206BACKGROUNDWessel MJ, Beanato E, Popa T, Windel F, Vassiliadis P, Menoud P, Beliaeva V, Violante IR, Abderrahmane H, Dzialecka P, Park CH, Maceira-Elvira P, Morishita T, Cassara AM, Steiner M, Grossman N, Neufeld E, Hummel FC. Noninvasive theta-burst stimulation of the human striatum enhances striatal activity and motor skill learning. Nat Neurosci. 2023 Nov;26(11):2005-2016. doi: 10.1038/s41593-023-01457-7. Epub 2023 Oct 19.
PMID: 37857774BACKGROUNDViolante IR, Alania K, Cassara AM, Neufeld E, Acerbo E, Carron R, Williamson A, Kurtin DL, Rhodes E, Hampshire A, Kuster N, Boyden ES, Pascual-Leone A, Grossman N. Non-invasive temporal interference electrical stimulation of the human hippocampus. Nat Neurosci. 2023 Nov;26(11):1994-2004. doi: 10.1038/s41593-023-01456-8. Epub 2023 Oct 19.
PMID: 37857775BACKGROUNDGrossman N, Bono D, Dedic N, Kodandaramaiah SB, Rudenko A, Suk HJ, Cassara AM, Neufeld E, Kuster N, Tsai LH, Pascual-Leone A, Boyden ES. Noninvasive Deep Brain Stimulation via Temporally Interfering Electric Fields. Cell. 2017 Jun 1;169(6):1029-1041.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.05.024.
PMID: 28575667BACKGROUNDBeanato E, Moon HJ, Windel F, Vassiliadis P, Wessel MJ, Popa T, Pauline M, Neufeld E, De Falco E, Gauthier B, Steiner M, Blanke O, Hummel FC. Noninvasive modulation of the hippocampal-entorhinal complex during spatial navigation in humans. Sci Adv. 2024 Nov;10(44):eado4103. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado4103. Epub 2024 Oct 30.
PMID: 39475597BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- QUADRUPLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Director
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 1, 2026
First Posted
June 11, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
July 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2029
Last Updated
June 11, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share