Noninvasive Brain Stimulation for Mild Cognitive Impairment

NCT ID: NCT03331796

Last Updated: 2025-09-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 69 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-06-15
• Study Completion Date: 2023-03-28

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to test the efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: Group 1: Active Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) rTMS; Group 2: Active Lateral Parietal Cortex (LPC) rTMS; and Group 3: Inactive rTMS (Placebo) control (evenly split between each coil location). Participation in the study takes approximately 7 ½ months-including a 2-to 4-week treatment phase (20 rTMS sessions) and a 6-month follow-up phase.

Detailed Description

This study aims to test the efficacy of a non-pharmacological treatment for MCI that involves noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS). Early studies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia patients have found that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS, a form of NIBS) improved global cognitive function and activities of daily living. Given that in AD, neuronal loss and synaptic dysfunction progress along brain networks, the results of these early studies of brain stimulation suggest there is sufficient neuroplasticity in AD for efficacious effects of brain stimulation. Of the very few rTMS studies in MCI that have been published, the effect size appears to be moderately large. However, it is not clear whether the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the stimulation site used in the most of the prior MCI/AD rTMS trials, is the optimal site for achieving the most efficacious effects including effects on episodic memory. Importantly, when other investigators used rTMS to stimulate a lateral parietal cortical (LPC) site in healthy young adults, significant effects of rTMS on memory were measureable weeks later. Moreover, functional connectivity of brain regions was selectively increased, including the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a "hub" of brain networks that is affected in amnestic MCI.

Because stimulation of the DLPFC and the LPC may each have distinct effects, we designed this pilot trial to have two active rTMS treatment groups: DLPFC and LPC. A third group will receive inactive (placebo) rTMS to achieve a controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. For each of the three groups, stimulation will be bilateral, based on effects achieved in the AD studies. The primary hypothesis is that active rTMS (to either site of stimulation) will be superior to inactive (placebo) rTMS in improving memory. Measures of change in functional connectivity will be computed to examine whether there is evidence that rTMS changes connectivity of the PCC with other regions of the brain. In addition to looking at effects of rTMS on functional connectivity and cognition in relation to the cortical site stimulated, genetic markers will be collected toward addressing heterogeneity of response. To track the durability of rTMS effects on memory, participants will be followed longer than in any prior study (up to 6 months after the intervention). If this study finds rTMS improves memory in older adults with MCI, further clinical development of this non-pharmacological treatment could ultimately improve the lives of millions of older adults who have MCI and are at an increased risk of developing dementia.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment; Mild Neurocognitive Disorder; Cognitive Decline; Mental Deterioration; Cognitive Dysfunction; Memory Decline; Memory Loss; Memory Impairment

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: QUADRUPLE

Study Groups

Active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (Bilateral DLPFC)

One-third of participants will receive active rTMS to the right and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Active rTMS (Bilateral DLPFC)

Intervention Type: DEVICE

TMS Stimulation Parameters for the active DLPFC rTMS intervention group will be: 10 Hz, 4-second train duration and 11-second inter-train interval. During each session, 2,000 pulses will be applied for each hemisphere (for a total of 4,000 pulses per session). Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Active repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (Bilateral LPC)

One-third of participants will receive active rTMS to the right and left lateral parietal cortex (LPC).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Active rTMS (Bilateral LPC)

Intervention Type: DEVICE

TMS Stimulation Parameters for the active LPC rTMS intervention group will be: 10 Hz, 4-second train duration and 11-second inter-train interval. During each session, 2,000 pulses will be applied for each hemisphere (for a total of 4,000 pulses per session). Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Placebo repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) (Inactive)

One-third of participants will receive placebo/inactive rTMS, either to the DLPFC or the LPC. Those receiving placebo rTMS will serve as the control group.

Group Type: PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo rTMS (Inactive)

Intervention Type: DEVICE

For the Placebo rTMS (Inactive) group, the participant will wear scalp electrodes through which a low voltage, low electric current (2-20mA at no more than 100V) is passed to mimic the sensation of receiving actual rTMS. Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Interventions

Active rTMS (Bilateral DLPFC)

TMS Stimulation Parameters for the active DLPFC rTMS intervention group will be: 10 Hz, 4-second train duration and 11-second inter-train interval. During each session, 2,000 pulses will be applied for each hemisphere (for a total of 4,000 pulses per session). Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Active rTMS (Bilateral LPC)

TMS Stimulation Parameters for the active LPC rTMS intervention group will be: 10 Hz, 4-second train duration and 11-second inter-train interval. During each session, 2,000 pulses will be applied for each hemisphere (for a total of 4,000 pulses per session). Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Placebo rTMS (Inactive)

For the Placebo rTMS (Inactive) group, the participant will wear scalp electrodes through which a low voltage, low electric current (2-20mA at no more than 100V) is passed to mimic the sensation of receiving actual rTMS. Participants will receive 20 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per day, M-F).

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI);
• Stable medications (including any dementia-related meds) for at least 4 weeks prior to Baseline;
• Geriatric Depression Scale score less than 6;
• Ability to obtain a motor threshold, determined during the screening process;
• Study partner available; living situation enables attendance at clinic visits;
• Visual and auditory acuity adequate for neuropsychological testing;
• Good general health with no diseases expected to interfere with the study;
• Participant is not pregnant or of childbearing potential (i.e. women must be 2 years post-menopausal or surgically sterile);
• Modified Hachinski Ischemic score less than or equal to 4;
• Agree to DNA extraction for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping;
• Able to understand study procedures and comply with them for the entire length of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• Prior exposure to rTMS within the past 12 months;
• Magnetic field safety concern such as a cardiac pacemaker, cochlear implant, implanted device in the brain (deep brain stimulation), or metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body;
• Any significant neurological disease other than suspected incipient Alzheimer's disease;
• Unstable cardiac disease or recent (< 3 months previous) myocardial infarction. Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition that could lead to difficulty with protocol adherence;
• History of epilepsy or repetitive seizures, as determined by patient report or chart review;
• History of a medical condition or current use/abuse of medications and substances that increase the risk of a seizure, specifically:

• Traumatic brain injury within 2 months that would increase the risk for seizure;
• Unable to safely withdraw, at least 4 weeks prior to Baseline, from medications that substantially increase the risk of having seizures (for example: theophylline, clozapine, and methylphenidate).
• Current or past history of a mass lesion, cerebral infarct, or other noncognitive active neurological disease that would increase the risk for seizure.
• Stimulant abuse within the previous 90 days. Cocaine and abuse of amphetamine and methylphenidate are associated with an increased risk of seizures;
• Major depression or bipolar disorder (DSM-IV) within the past 1 year, or psychotic features within the last 3 months that could lead to difficulty with protocol adherence;
• Taking sedative hypnotics or medications with anti-cholinergic properties and unable to withdraw at least 4 weeks prior to Baseline;
• Current alcohol or substance abuse (not including caffeine or nicotine) within the past 1 year, as determined by chart review, participant or study partner report, or greater than "moderate" alcohol use defined by the Quantity-Frequency-Variability Index (Cahalan, Cisin, & Crossley, 1969);
• Any contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, e.g. severe claustrophobia, weight above 350 lb maximum allowed by MRI scanner, pregnancy;
• Participation in another concurrent clinical trial;
• Inability or unwillingness of individual or legal representative to give written informed consent.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 90 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIH

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Joy Taylor

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Joy L Taylor, Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford/VA Aging Clinical Center

Locations

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Palo Alto, California, United States

Countries

United States

References

Liao X, Li G, Wang A, Liu T, Feng S, Guo Z, Tang Q, Jin Y, Xing G, McClure MA, Chen H, He B, Liu H, Mu Q. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as an Alternative Therapy for Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis. 2015;48(2):463-72. doi: 10.3233/JAD-150346.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 26402010 (View on PubMed)

Taylor JL, Hambro BC, Strossman ND, Bhatt P, Hernandez B, Ashford JW, Cheng JJ, Iv M, Adamson MM, Lazzeroni LC, McNerney MW. The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a protocol for a randomized, controlled three-arm trial. BMC Neurol. 2019 Dec 16;19(1):326. doi: 10.1186/s12883-019-1552-7.

Reference Type: DERIVED

PMID: 31842821 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

R01AG055526

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

TAY0003AGG

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id