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Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNCT03521089

Cathodal tDCS in MCI: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study

A study testing Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001 in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitive Impairment, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study evaluates the application of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in adults aged 55-85. Half of the participants will receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), while the other half will receive sham (like placebo) stimulation. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 55 to 85 years
What is being tested?
Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
16 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
20 Feb 2018to 31 May 2019
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 55 to 85 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male or female outpatients with confirmed MCI diagnosis
  • Age 55-85
  • Right handed (tested using the Edinburgh handedness inventory)
  • Total PHQ-8 of ≤ 16 which signifies no severe depression
  • All participants and/or caregivers must be able to provide informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Neurodegenerative disease (e.g. Parkinson's, Huntington's, Multiple Sclerosis) other than MCI
  • Previous brain lesion
  • Intracranial abnormality such as prior stroke
  • History of seizure disorder or epilepsy
  • A "true" positive response, after patient clarification, to any question on the modified TMS/tDCS Adult Safety Screen questionnaire that would impact patient safety
  • Any history of brain stimulation treatment (e.g., electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), vagal nerve therapy (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS))
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  • Use of any investigational drug within 4 weeks
  • Cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines; acute or unstable cardiac disease; intracranial implants (e.g., aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head (exception: mouth/dental work) that cannot be safely removed
  • Known or suspected pregnancy (extremely unlikely as the age range for this study is 55-85 years)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Mayo Clinic in Arizona

    Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Pilot Study

This study evaluates the application of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in adults aged 55-85. Half of the participants will receive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), while the other half will receive sham (like placebo) stimulation.

Read the detailed description

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether giving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) treatment using an investigational device called the Soterix tES Device (tDCS device) on the right side of the brain can improve performance on cognitive tests. Investigational means that the tDCS device is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the use in this study.

tDCS is a non-invasive way to electrically stimulate the brain. The tDCS device is portable and runs on two 9-volt batteries. Electrodes from the tDCS device carry weak electrical current through the scalp and skull and into the brain. When the direction of the electric current flow is called cathodal, the brain under the site of stimulation reduces its activity.

When tasks are performed, certain parts of the brain are activated. Research studies have shown that younger adults and older adults activate similar parts of the brain when performing the same task (a memory task, for example). However, other researchers found older adults who scored worse on memory tasks, and those with Mild Cognitive Impairment, activated an additional part of the brain so both sides of the brain are activated. Researchers are not sure whether this additional activation is helpful or not. Investigators in this study believe that this extra activation may be contributing to worse performance on tasks.

It may be possible to use tDCS to reduce the brain activity on the extra activation (right) side in older adults, to resemble an activation pattern seen in younger adults (or higher scoring cohort). Using cathodal tDCS to reduce brain activity might help the brain in performing tasks.

Being tested
Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001
Keywords
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)
Medical subject headings
Cognitive Dysfunction, Cognition Disorders

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001Device

    Also called Soterix tDCS, Transcranial direct current stimulation, Non-invasive brain stimulation, Cathodal tDCS

    Transcranial direct current stimulation works by sending constant, low direct current through the electrodes. When these electrodes are placed in the region of interest, the current induces intracerebral current flow. This current flow then either increases or decreases the neuronal excitability in the specific area being stimulated based on which type of stimulation is being used. This change of neuronal excitability leads to alteration of brain function, which can be used in various therapies as well as to provide more information about the functioning of the human brain.

Study groups in NCT03521089
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active tDCSActive comparatorActive tDCS uses the Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001. The active tDCS intervention include stimulation for 15 minutes at 1mA. The cathode electrode will be placed over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with reference electrode (anode) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Both electrodes are covered by saline-soaked sponges that are held against the scalp by a pair of large, adjustable head straps. Treatment sessions will last for 15 minutes. 5 consecutive treatment sessions will be completed within 1 week.
Receives: Device: Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001
Sham tDCSSham comparatorSham tDCS uses the Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001. The sham tDCS intervention lasts for 15 minutes. The cathode electrode will be placed over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with reference electrode (anode) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Both electrodes are covered by saline-soaked sponges that are held against the scalp by a pair of large, adjustable head straps. Treatment sessions will last for 15 minutes. 5 consecutive treatment sessions will be completed within 1 week.
Receives: Device: Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test Scores

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1-month post intervention

  2. Change in Picture Vocabulary Test Scores

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

  3. Change in List Sorting Working Memory Test Scores

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

  4. Change in Dimensional Change Card Sort Test

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

  5. Change in Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test Scores

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

  6. Change in Picture Sequence Memory Test v2.1 Score

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

  7. Change in Oral Reading Recognition Test Score

    Post-intervention score comparison between the intervention and control group measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test. The NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery Test is a comprehensive set of neuro behavioral measurements used to assess cognitive, sensory and motor functions where a higher composite score equals better cognitive performance. The NIH Toolbox Cognitive Scores used the Fully Adjusted Scale score (also referred to as the fully corrected T-score) with a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10.

    Measured: Baseline, 1 month post intervention

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted11 May 2018
  2. Study start20 Feb 2018
  3. Primary completion31 May 2019
  4. Study completion31 May 2019

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Randomized 1:1 to active or sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intervention
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
16 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03521089
Sponsor's protocol ID
16-007478
Status last verified
Mar 2020
First submitted
29 Mar 2018
Last updated
25 Mar 2020
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Soterix Medical 1x1 Low Intensity Transcranial Electrical Stimulator (tES) Model 2001 in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Cognitive Impairment, run by Mayo Clinic at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Mar 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 25 Mar 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test Scores (time frame: Baseline, 1-month post intervention). The study lists 7 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 25 Mar 2020.

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Clinical Trial NCT03521089 | AzTrials