High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) for Early Alzheimer's Disease

NCT ID: NCT04599764

Last Updated: 2025-07-11

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-06-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-01

Brief Summary

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To investigate the clinical effect neural mechanism of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation combined with cognitive training on early AD

Detailed Description

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Upon meeting the inclusion criteria and providing informed consent, each participant will complete a series of cognitive assessments and tDCS at the hospital outpatient clinics or inpatient department. Participants were randomly allocated to anode tDCS group with cognitive training, anode tDCS group and the sham group. There are about 20 participants in each group. Participants were studied using a double-blind design. Study participants and all personnel responsible for the effects of the participants remained masked to allocated condition and allocation parameters. Only tDCS administrators had access to the randomization list; they had minimal contact with the participants, and no role in cognitive assessments. For the first 30 participants, allocation was decided by draw. For the subsequent 30 patients, allocation was according to computer generated random numbers. Each participant would be treated for 10 days in two weeks by HD-tDCS.

Before the tDCS, a series of cognitive assessments and neuropsychological tests were obtained by a trained investigator to assess baseline. Each assessment will involve a set of assessment tools, including Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and associative memory as the primary outcome measure and various other tasks and questionnaires to measure cognition(DS, Stroop test, VFT, SDMT), memory (AVLT, AMT, working memory test), emotion(HAMA-17, HAMD-14, eye-tracking technolodgy), executive function(SST, WSCT, GDT) and stimulation tolerability. All the tests are conducted in two days. The participants had receiving a magnetic resonance imaging scan in multi-modalities, and electroencephalography (EEG) record.

Evaluations were conducted one week after treatment and at the end of two weeks of treatment, as well as the Global Index of Safety to assess adverse events of the stimulation. Participants were instructed to focus their answers on the past 7/14 days. The participants had also receiving a battery measure of neuropsychological tests, magnetic resonance imaging scan in multi-modalities, and EEG record. All tests were instructed to finished within 24 hours after the last stimulation. One month and three months after the last stimulation, participants were interviewed to obtain the same assessment as before. They were instructed to focus their answers on the past months.

Conditions

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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Early Alzheimer's Disease

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors
Caregivers, subjects, and evaluators remain blind

Study Groups

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Sham-Anode tDCS&Cognitive training

Participants will receive Cognitive training+Sham tDCS daily for two weeks

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

computer-based cognitive training

Intervention Type OTHER

Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a potentially important tool for individuals at risk of dementia. This trial will employ a computerized multi-domain adaptive training program. This program and training model have been demonstrated to be effective and beneficial in patients with vascular cognitive impairment. In the CCT intervention group, participants will undergo 2 weeks of computerized, multi-domain, adaptive training. The training domains include processing speed, attention, perception, long-term memory, working memory, calculation, executive control, reasoning, and problem-solving. Task rigor varies across domains and determines task grouping. Participants are required to complete 30 minutes of daily training(one session each of six 5-minute tasks).

Sham tDCS

Intervention Type OTHER

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that alters cortical excitability and activity via application of weak direct currents.HD-tDCS was administered using the Soterix 1×1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator and the Soterix 4×1 Adapter. The selection of the electrode montage was based on computational models generating simulated current topography using HD Explore, which demonstrated good current distribution in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For left DLPFC stimulation, the anodal electrode was placed at the F3 position (using the International 10-20 EEG system), and the 4 return electrodes (cathodes) were placed at positions AFz, FCz, F7, and C5 (4-6 cm from the anode). The center position CZ was aligned with the vertex of the head. For sham stimulation, participants received only the initial 30-second ramp-up to 2 mA, after which stimulation was immediately terminated.

Anodal tDCS with Cognitive training

Participants will receive anoale tDCS daily and cognitive training for two weeks

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

HD-tDCS

Intervention Type OTHER

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that alters cortical excitability and activity via application of weak direct currents.HD-tDCS was administered using the Soterix 1×1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator and the Soterix 4×1 Adapter. The selection of the electrode montage was based on computational models generating simulated current topography using HD Explore, which demonstrated good current distribution in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For left DLPFC stimulation, the anodal electrode was placed at the F3 position (using the International 10-20 EEG system), and the 4 return electrodes (cathodes) were placed at positions AFz, FCz, F7, and C5 (4-6 cm from the anode). The center position CZ was aligned with the vertex of the head. During anodal DLPFC stimulation, participants received stimulation at 2 mA for 30 minutes, including a 30-second ramp-up period at the start and a 30-second ramp-down period at the end.

computer-based cognitive training

Intervention Type OTHER

Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a potentially important tool for individuals at risk of dementia. This trial will employ a computerized multi-domain adaptive training program. This program and training model have been demonstrated to be effective and beneficial in patients with vascular cognitive impairment. In the CCT intervention group, participants will undergo 2 weeks of computerized, multi-domain, adaptive training. The training domains include processing speed, attention, perception, long-term memory, working memory, calculation, executive control, reasoning, and problem-solving. Task rigor varies across domains and determines task grouping. Participants are required to complete 30 minutes of daily training(one session each of six 5-minute tasks).

Anodal tDCS without Cognitive training

Participants will receive anoale tDCS daily without cognitive training for two weeks

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

HD-tDCS

Intervention Type OTHER

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that alters cortical excitability and activity via application of weak direct currents.HD-tDCS was administered using the Soterix 1×1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator and the Soterix 4×1 Adapter. The selection of the electrode montage was based on computational models generating simulated current topography using HD Explore, which demonstrated good current distribution in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For left DLPFC stimulation, the anodal electrode was placed at the F3 position (using the International 10-20 EEG system), and the 4 return electrodes (cathodes) were placed at positions AFz, FCz, F7, and C5 (4-6 cm from the anode). The center position CZ was aligned with the vertex of the head. During anodal DLPFC stimulation, participants received stimulation at 2 mA for 30 minutes, including a 30-second ramp-up period at the start and a 30-second ramp-down period at the end.

Interventions

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HD-tDCS

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that alters cortical excitability and activity via application of weak direct currents.HD-tDCS was administered using the Soterix 1×1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator and the Soterix 4×1 Adapter. The selection of the electrode montage was based on computational models generating simulated current topography using HD Explore, which demonstrated good current distribution in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For left DLPFC stimulation, the anodal electrode was placed at the F3 position (using the International 10-20 EEG system), and the 4 return electrodes (cathodes) were placed at positions AFz, FCz, F7, and C5 (4-6 cm from the anode). The center position CZ was aligned with the vertex of the head. During anodal DLPFC stimulation, participants received stimulation at 2 mA for 30 minutes, including a 30-second ramp-up period at the start and a 30-second ramp-down period at the end.

Intervention Type OTHER

computer-based cognitive training

Computer-based cognitive training (CCT) is a potentially important tool for individuals at risk of dementia. This trial will employ a computerized multi-domain adaptive training program. This program and training model have been demonstrated to be effective and beneficial in patients with vascular cognitive impairment. In the CCT intervention group, participants will undergo 2 weeks of computerized, multi-domain, adaptive training. The training domains include processing speed, attention, perception, long-term memory, working memory, calculation, executive control, reasoning, and problem-solving. Task rigor varies across domains and determines task grouping. Participants are required to complete 30 minutes of daily training(one session each of six 5-minute tasks).

Intervention Type OTHER

Sham tDCS

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation tool that alters cortical excitability and activity via application of weak direct currents.HD-tDCS was administered using the Soterix 1×1 tDCS Low-Intensity Stimulator and the Soterix 4×1 Adapter. The selection of the electrode montage was based on computational models generating simulated current topography using HD Explore, which demonstrated good current distribution in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For left DLPFC stimulation, the anodal electrode was placed at the F3 position (using the International 10-20 EEG system), and the 4 return electrodes (cathodes) were placed at positions AFz, FCz, F7, and C5 (4-6 cm from the anode). The center position CZ was aligned with the vertex of the head. For sham stimulation, participants received only the initial 30-second ramp-up to 2 mA, after which stimulation was immediately terminated.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Subject diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease or related diseases according to NINCDS-ACDRADA criteria.
* Subjects must have a MMSE score between 10 and 27,indicating mild cognitive impairment or dementia
* CDR score ≤ 2
* Subject under treatment by IAChE for at least 3 months.
* psychotropic treatments are tolerated if they were administered and unchanged for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria

* CDR \> 2
* Any history or clinical signs of other severe psychiatric illnesses (like major depression,psychosis or obsessive compulsive disorder).
* History of head injury,stroke,or other neurologic disease.
* Organic brain defects on T1 or T2 images.
* History of seizures or unexplained loss of consciousness.
* Implanted pacemaker,medication pump,vagal stimulator,deep brain stimulator.
* Family history of medication refractory epilepsy.
* History of substance abuse within the last 6 months.
Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

85 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Anhui Medical University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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WANG KAI

Director of medical psychological department, Anhui Medical University

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Anhui Medical University

Hefei, Anhui, China

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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China

Central Contacts

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Kai Wang, PhD

Role: CONTACT

+86-0551-62922263

Xingqi Wu, M.D.

Role: CONTACT

18788836237 ext. +86

Facility Contacts

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Xingqi Wu, M.D.

Role: primary

+8618788836237

Guixian Xiao

Role: backup

+8617705605378

Other Identifiers

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AH med university2018913

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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