Memory Enhancement in Aging With Optimal Dosing
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age65+
SponsorBoston University Charles River Campus
About this trial
This project optimizes high-resolution transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) to improve memory in healthy older adults, advancing drug-free approaches for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD). We test stimulation schedules and develop an adaptive, brain-guided tACS system to strengthen memory-supporting networks.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
65 years of age or older
normal or corrected-to-normal vision
color vision
Disqualifiers
pregnant
metal implants in head
implanted electronic devices
history of neurological problems or head injury
Trial design
Design model
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
1-day patterned tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
3-day patterned tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
5-day patterned tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
1-day continuous tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
3-day continuous tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
5-day continuous tACS
DeviceDevice: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation Low-intensity, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
Treatment groups
240 Participants
are divided into 6 treatment groups6
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Group A: 1-day patterned tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: 3-day patterned tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: 5-day patterned tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: 1-day continuous tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group E: 3-day continuous tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group F: 5-day continuous tACSExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Visual working memory capacity measured behaviorally
Behavioral k-capacity estimate derived from the change-detection task
Time frame
Baseline, 1-week after intervention, 1-month after intervention2
Interruption suppression measured behaviorally
Memory accuracy performance difference between interruption and control trials on the interruption working memory task
Time frame
Baseline, 1-week after intervention, 1-month after intervention3
EEG phase locking value (PLV) during working memory retention
Phase locking value between frontotemporal EEG electrodes within the theta frequency band during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Time frame
Baseline, 1-week after intervention, 1-month after intervention4
EEG phase amplitude coupling (PAC) during working memory retention
Theta phase gamma amplitude cross-frequency coupling at temporal EEG electrodes during the memory retention interval of the visual working memory task
Time frame
Baseline, 1-week after intervention, 1-month after interventionSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov