At Home Gamma tACS in Alzheimer's Disease (tACS@Home)

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

53 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-12-10

Study Completion Date

2024-10-15

Brief Summary

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Brain oscillations are ubiquitous in the human brain and have been implicated in cognitive and behavioral states defined in precisely tuned neural networks. In neurodegenerative disorders, neurodegeneration is accompanied by changes in oscillatory activity leading to the emerging concept of neurological and psychiatric disorders as "oscillopathies". Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for the vast majority of age-related dementias, is characterised by a prominent disruption of oscillations in the gamma frequency band. The restoration of gamma oscillations by neural entrainment in animal models of Alzheimer's disease have shown a remarkable decrease in the pathological burden of amyloid and tau via increased microglial activity, resulting in a significant increase of cognitive performances.

Transcranial alternating current brain stimulation (tACS), is a neurophysiological method of non-invasive modulation of the excitability of the central nervous system that is having an increasingly numerous spectrum of potential therapeutic applications. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in modulating the natural frequencies of cerebral oscillation, underlying multiple cognitive processes such as verbal memory, perception and working memory.

On the basis of these premises, the treatment with gamma tACS is proposed in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease.

In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, followed by an open-label phase, the investigators will evaluate whether a 9- or 18-weeks treatment with gamma tACS over the precuneus, delivered at home, can improve symptoms in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease.

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Detailed Description

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Brain oscillations are ubiquitous in the human brain and have been implicated in cognitive and behavioral states defined in precisely tuned neural networks. In neurodegenerative disorders, neurodegeneration is accompanied by changes in oscillatory activity leading to the emerging concept of neurological and psychiatric disorders as "oscillopathies". Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for the vast majority of age-related dementias, is characterised by a prominent disruption of oscillations in the gamma frequency band. The restoration of gamma oscillations by neural entrainment in animal models of Alzheimer's disease have shown a remarkable decrease in the pathological burden of amyloid and tau via increased microglial activity, resulting in a significant increase of cognitive performances.

Transcranial alternating current brain stimulation (tACS), is a neurophysiological method of non-invasive modulation of the excitability of the central nervous system that is having an increasingly numerous spectrum of potential therapeutic applications. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in modulating the natural frequencies of cerebral oscillation, underlying multiple cognitive processes such as verbal memory, perception and working memory.

On the basis of these premises, the treatment with gamma tACS is proposed in patients affected by Alzheimer's disease.

In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study, followed by an open-label phase, the investigators will evaluate whether a 9- or 18-weeks treatment with gamma tACS over the precuneus, delivered at home, can improve symptoms in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease.

Subjects will be randomized in two groups in the first part of the trial. One group will receive a two-months treatment with gamma tACS (40 Hz) over the precuneus while the other group will receive placebo (sham) stimulation. After two-months, both group will undergo real stimulation (open-label phase) with gamma tACS (40 Hz) over the precuneus for two-months. Modulators of response will be considered.

Conditions

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Alzheimer Disease

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Real tACS - Real tACS

42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks) followed by an open-label 42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks).

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks)

Sham tACS - Real tACS

42 sessions of sham stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks) followed by an open-label 42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks).

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks)

Sham stimulation

Intervention Type DEVICE

42 sessions of sham stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks)

Interventions

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40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation

42 sessions of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham stimulation

42 sessions of sham stimulation (5 days/week for 9 weeks)

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Mild Alzheimer's disease (CDR 0.5 - 1)

* Age \> 18 years
* Compliance in participation in training on the use of the therapeutic device
* Mini-Mental State Examination \>26/30

Exclusion Criteria

* Cerebrovascular disorders
* Previous stroke
* Hydrocephalus
* Intra-cranial mass documented by MRI
* History of traumatic brain injury or other neurological diseases
* Serious medical illness other than AD
* History of seizures
* Pregnancy
* Metal implants in the head (except dental fillings)
* Electronic implants (i.e. pace-maker, implanted medical pump)
* Age \<18 years

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No