Trial Outcomes & Findings for A Study of HD-tDCS and Cognitive Training to Improve Cognitive Function in MCI (NCT NCT04246164)

NCT ID: NCT04246164

Last Updated: 2026-01-28

Results Overview

This measure assesses consent rates and treatment completion amongst subjects by assessing the number of subjects who signed consent forms and the number of completed study visits. In this study, 9 subjects provided informed consent. 1 subject was withdrawn. 8 subjects completed treatment. Therefore, only the data from the 8 subjects who completed treatment were analyzed.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

8 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

6 months

Results posted on

2026-01-28

Participant Flow

1 subject signed the consent form and withdrew prior to being assigned to one of the treatment arms.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Overall Study
STARTED
4
4
Overall Study
COMPLETED
4
4
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

A Study of HD-tDCS and Cognitive Training to Improve Cognitive Function in MCI

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Total
n=8 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
1 Participants
n=158 Participants
1 Participants
n=157 Participants
2 Participants
n=315 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
3 Participants
n=158 Participants
3 Participants
n=157 Participants
6 Participants
n=315 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants
n=158 Participants
1 Participants
n=157 Participants
4 Participants
n=315 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
1 Participants
n=158 Participants
3 Participants
n=157 Participants
4 Participants
n=315 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants
n=158 Participants
4 Participants
n=157 Participants
8 Participants
n=315 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
1 Participants
n=157 Participants
1 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
4 Participants
n=158 Participants
3 Participants
n=157 Participants
7 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=158 Participants
0 Participants
n=157 Participants
0 Participants
n=315 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
4 participants
n=158 Participants
4 participants
n=157 Participants
8 participants
n=315 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 months

This measure assesses consent rates and treatment completion amongst subjects by assessing the number of subjects who signed consent forms and the number of completed study visits. In this study, 9 subjects provided informed consent. 1 subject was withdrawn. 8 subjects completed treatment. Therefore, only the data from the 8 subjects who completed treatment were analyzed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Assess the Feasibility of MFE-HD-tDCS Plus Simultaneous Computerized CT as a Viable Intervention by Measuring Consent Rates and Treatment Completion
Number of subjects who signed consent forms
4 Participants
4 Participants
Assess the Feasibility of MFE-HD-tDCS Plus Simultaneous Computerized CT as a Viable Intervention by Measuring Consent Rates and Treatment Completion
Number of subjects who completed study treatment
4 Participants
4 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (ADCS-PACC) score at 3 and 6 months from baseline.

Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ADCS-PACC) is a composite of 4 measures with well-established sensitivity for the detection of cognitive decline in prodromal and mild dementia. It is calculated by summing the standardized z-scores of each of the following: * Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (0-48 points), Logical Memory IIa sub-test from the Wechsler Memory test (0-25 points) * Mini Mental Status Examination (0-30 points) * Digit Symbol Substitution Test from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (0-93 points) Z-score of 0 represents the sample mean. A Z-score of 0 indicates average cognitive performance compared to the reference group. For ADCS-PACC, more standard deviations above the mean generally represent a better outcome. There are not specific clinically relevant thresholds universally agreed upon for ADCS-PACC scores. Scores are typically used to compare changes over time.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Collect Preliminary Data on the Efficacy of MFE-HD-tDCS With Simultaneous Computerized CT
Mean ADCS-PACC at Baseline
-0.95975 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 2.2504557131094
0.85375 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 3.3297438715313
Collect Preliminary Data on the Efficacy of MFE-HD-tDCS With Simultaneous Computerized CT
Mean ADCS-PACC at Month 3
-0.795 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 2.5196990561044
1.596 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 3.2651291960146
Collect Preliminary Data on the Efficacy of MFE-HD-tDCS With Simultaneous Computerized CT
Mean ADCS-PACC at Month 6
-0.38575 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 3.5756851441367
1.227 Z-Score
Standard Deviation 2.764333011777

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Measure quality of life in subjects over a period of 3 months

Population: Quality of life questionnaires were removed from study procedures prior to subject enrollment. Therefore, we did not have adequate data to support this outcome measure, so no data is reported. For this reason, no statistical analysis was performed.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Collect Preliminary Data on the Efficacy of MFE-HD-tDCS in Combination With Computerized CT to Improve Quality of Life in Subjects With MCI
0 Participants
0 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months

Population: We analyzed resting state connectivity changes at Month 3 on MRI

To report the correlation between activation in different brain regions reported. The clinical significance of increasing or reducing connectivity remains unclear. For example, increased connectivity could lead to strengthening of a hypo-functioning network, but reducing connectivity could also be the result of normalizing aberrant and/or compensatory hypo-connectivity. Calculation details: Pearson r correlation coefficients were computed and transformed to Fisher-z. Independent t-test or Wilcoxon Rank Sum analyses were conducted to investigate changes in connectivity from pre- to post-intervention between groups (Active versus Sham). Higher Z-scores (standard deviations above the mean) represent greater functional connectivity (stronger temporal synchronization) between the specified regions of interest (ROIs). Lower Z-scores represent reduced functional connectivity (weaker synchronization). A decrease in Z-scores (lower connectivity) is considered a better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 Participants
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Effects of MFE-HD-tDCS Combined With Computerized CT on Resting State Brain Network Connectivity
Resting state connectivity changes between left caudal hippocampus and left lateral parietal cortex
-0.09065 Z-score
Standard Deviation 0.018280796
0.12688 Z-score
Standard Deviation 0.046184866
Effects of MFE-HD-tDCS Combined With Computerized CT on Resting State Brain Network Connectivity
Resting state connectivity changes between right intraparietal sulcus and right frontal eye fields
-0.0989 Z-score
Standard Deviation 0.081790097
0.11118 Z-score
Standard Deviation 0.046729989

Adverse Events

HD-tDCS Combined With CT

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT

Serious events: 1 serious events
Other events: 2 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 participants at risk
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 participants at risk
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Surgical and medical procedures
Gallbladder removal
0.00%
0/4 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
25.0%
1/4 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gall stones
0.00%
0/4 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
25.0%
1/4 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 participants at risk
HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. HD-tDCS combined with CT: HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Sham HD-tDCS Combined With CT
n=4 participants at risk
Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT, administered to participants with amnestic MCI (aMCI) in blocks of 5 daily treatments for a total of 15 sessions. There will be one treatment block/month for a total of 3 months. Sham HD-tDCS combined with CT: sham-HD-tDCS treatments will be administered during a cognitive training session.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Common cold
0.00%
0/4 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
25.0%
1/4 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Rash
0.00%
0/4 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
25.0%
1/4 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
General disorders
Headache
0.00%
0/4 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.
25.0%
1/4 • Number of events 1 • Adverse events were monitored recorded from the time of informed consent through study completion, an average of 6 months per subject.

Additional Information

Peter Kraegel

Medical College of Wisconsin

Phone: 414-955-0657

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place