NCT07673770

Brief Summary

Working memory helps us hold information for a short time so one can think and make decisions. It keeps thoughts on track. As one gets older, working memory gets weaker. In people with dementia, it gets much worse, making it harder to talk with others, follow directions, or remember things like shopping lists. This may happen because brain waves that support working memory fall out of sync. Researchers can see these brain waves using a test called EEG. In this study, the investigators will try to get these brain waves back in sync using a safe, non-invasive form of brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and will time it to each person's brain waves to make it more effective. The goal is to improve working memory in people with dementia. If successful, dementia patients may be able to be more independent taking pressure off their families.

Trial Health

77
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
30

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable

Timeline
24mo left

Started Jul 2026

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress3%
Jul 2026Aug 2028

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 10, 2026

Completed
3 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 29, 2026

Completed
8 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 7, 2026

Completed
1.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 1, 2028

Expected
4 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2028

Last Updated

July 7, 2026

Status Verified

July 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1.7 years

First QC Date

April 10, 2026

Last Update Submit

July 2, 2026

Conditions

DementiaAlzheimer s Disease

Keywords

DementiaAlzheimer's Diseasetranscranial magnetic stimulationeegelectroencephalography

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

  • Forward digit span

    A set of numbers will be presented one after another and you will be asked to recall them in the same order after a brief maintence period. Accuracy and reaction time will be measured

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Reverse digit span

    A set of digits will be presented and you must recall the digits in reverse order. Accuracy and reaction time will be measured

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Sentence span

    You will be presented with a set of sentences one after another. You are tasked with remembering the last word of each sentence. Then after a brief maintence period, you will be asked to repeat the last word of each sentence in the order the sentences were presented in. Accuracy and reaction time will be measured

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Grocery list task

    You will be presented with a set of grocery items one after another. After a brief maintence period, you will be asked to repeat the items in the same order they were presented in. Accuracy and reaction time will be measured

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score

    The MOCA is a tool used to assess cognitive impairment. It assesses various aspects of cognition including executive function, memory, language, attention, and orientation. A score less than 25 out of 30 is considered significant for MCI.

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores

    The MMSE is a 30 point cognitive assessment that involves a variety of cognitive tasks to assess an individual's cognitive abilities. It takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

    Immediately before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Frontotemporal EEG connectivity (imaginary component of coherence)

    Recorded before, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

  • Prefrontal theta-gamma coupling (modulation index)

    Before the intervention, immediately after the 2 week intervention, 1 month and 4 months after the intervention period.

Study Arms (1)

Intervention: EEG-triggered TMS

EXPERIMENTAL

The electroencephalography (EEG) triggered transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) arm involves receiving TMS timed to particular phases of EEG involved in working memory. TMS involves the delivery of brief current to the part of the brain that is involved in working memory. EEG involves placing 32 electrodes on the surface of then head and reading the brain's waves in real-time. TMS will be delivered to the part of the brain involved in working memory timed to EEG recorded brain waves

Device: EEG-triggered TMS

Interventions

EEG-triggered TMSDEVICE

This intervention involves delivering transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) during working memory maintence timed to a specific electroencephalography (EEG) phase from the temporal cortex. The intervention is attempting to facilitate improved communication between the dlPFC and temporal cortex to improve working memory in people living with dementia.

Intervention: EEG-triggered TMS

Eligibility Criteria

Age55 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Individuals must be diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementias by a clinician.
  • Individuals must exhibit adequate oral communication skills and cognitive function sufficient to obtain a score above 10 on the MMSE
  • Instructions will be delivered in English; therefore participants must demonstrate an understanding of instruction provided in English.
  • Individuals must be at least 55 years or older

You may not qualify if:

  • Contraindications to TMS; presence of a pacemaker, metal/electrical/magnetic implants not including titanium, known history of untreated or uncontrolled psychological disorders, pregnancy, history of seizure or diagnoses of epilepsy, are taking any prescription medications that increase the risk of seizure.
  • Allergy to rubbing alcohol, which is needed to prepare electromyography for TMS

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Ivor Wynne Center

Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada

RECRUITING

Related Publications (1)

  • Albert, M. S. (2011). Changes in Cognition. Neurobiology of Aging, 32(0 1), S58-S63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.09.010 Alzheimer Society of Canada. (2022, September 6). Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/reports-dementia/navigating-path-forward-landmark-report-1 Barbey, A. K., Koenigs, M., & Grafman, J. (2013). Dorsolateral Prefrontal Contributions to Human Working Memory. Cortex; a Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior, 49(5), 1195-1205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2012.05.022 Bastos, A. M., & Schoffelen, J.-M. (2016). A Tutorial Review of Functional Connectivity Analysis Methods and Their Interpretational Pitfalls. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2015.00175 Casarotto, S., Fecchio, M., Rosanova, M., Varone, G., D'Ambrosio, S., Sarasso, S., Pigorini, A., Russo, S., Comanducci, A., Ilmoniemi, R. J., & Massimini, M. (2022). The rt-TEP tool: Real-time visualization of TMS-Evoked Potentials to maximize cortical activation and minimize artifacts. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 370, 109486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109486 Daume, J., Gruber, T., Engel, A. K., & Friese, U. (2017). Phase-Amplitude Coupling and Long-Range Phase Synchronization Reveal Frontotemporal Interactions during Visual Working Memory. The Journal of Neuroscience, 37(2), 313. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2130-16.2016 Eldridge, S. M., Lancaster, G. A., Campbell, M. J., Thabane, L., Hopewell, S., Coleman, C. L., & Bond, C. M. (2016). Defining Feasibility and Pilot Studies in Preparation for Randomised Controlled Trials: Development of a Conceptual Framework. PloS One, 11(3), e0150205. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150205 Fox, M. D., Buckner, R. L., White, M. P., Greicius, M. D., & Pascual-Leone, A. (2012). Efficacy of TMS targets for depression is related to intrinsic functional connec

    BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

DementiaAlzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesNeurocognitive DisordersMental DisordersTauopathiesNeurodegenerative Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Aimee Nelson

CONTACT

(905) 525-9140nelsonaj@mcmaster.ca

Ameer Hamoodi

CONTACT

hamoodia@mcmaster.ca

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NA
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Model Details: Proof-of-concept open-label study where all participants will receive intervention
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 10, 2026

First Posted

June 29, 2026

Study Start

July 7, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2028

Last Updated

July 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

Locations

CA(1)