Memory Disorders in Old AgeNCT04362696
Improving Working Memory in Older Adults
A study testing High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation in people with Memory Disorders in Old Age, run by Boston University Charles River Campus at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The research program will evaluate the theoretical claim that age-related memory and cognitive decline in humans result from the inefficient orchestration of rhythmic activity within large-scale cortical networks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Memory Disorders in Old Age
- What is being tested?
- High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 964 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2019to 30 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- For Experiment 1, 18-30 years
- For Experiment 2, 60-80 years
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- Has color vision.
Who cannot join
- Metal implants in the head
- Implanted electronic devices
- A history of neurological problems or head injury
- Skin sensitivity
- Claustrophobia
- Dementia [Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 23 or lower; Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of <26)
- Depression [Beck Depression Inventory II score of 14 or higher; Geriatric Depression Scale score of 10 or higher]
- Taking any psychoactive medication
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
111 Cummington Mall Room 264
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
About this study
Official title: Improving Working Memory in Older Adults by Restoring Large-Scale Cortical Interactions
The research program will evaluate the theoretical claim that age-related memory and cognitive decline in humans result from the inefficient orchestration of rhythmic activity within large-scale cortical networks. The results will contribute to the basic science groundwork for developing future non-pharmacological interventions aimed at boosting memory and cognition in aging and clinical populations.
Read the detailed description
The investigators hypothesize that aged-related memory and cognitive impairments emerge from large-scale functional dysconnectivity and by stimulating the brain noninvasively with extremely weak levels of electrical current, it may be possible to re-synchronize connectivity and stabilize or improve memory and cognitive function, measured behaviorally. The experiments of this project are proposed as between-subjects, sham-controlled, and double-blind in design, and use noninvasive electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements of rhythmic brain activity. The experimental intervention involves the application of low-intensity, high-definition, transcranial electrical current stimulation while subjects perform a variety of computer-based tasks that probe memory and cognitive function.
- Conditions
- Memory Disorders in Old Age
- Being tested
- High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation
- Keywords
- aged-related memory, cognitive decline, transcranial electrical current stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
High definition transcranial electrical current stimulationDevice
Low-intensity and safe, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of gradually modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| active stimulation | Experimental | Not described Receives: Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation |
| sham stimulation | Sham comparator | Not described Receives: Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Memory performance success (sham stimulation condition)
The accuracy of task performance (in percentage correct units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Measured: During sham intervention
Memory performance success (active stimulation condition)
The accuracy of task performance (in percentage correct unit) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Measured: During active intervention
Memory performance speed (sham stimulation condition)
The reaction time of task performance (in millisecond units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Measured: During sham intervention
Memory performance speed (active stimulation condition)
The reaction time of task performance (in millisecond units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Measured: During active intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Apr 2020
- Study start1 Sep 2019
- Primary completion30 Apr 2026
- Study completion30 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Memory Disorders in Old AgeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 964 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River Campus
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Robert Reinhart, Boston University Charles River Campus
- Investigators
- Robert MG Reinhart, PhD, Principal investigator, Boston University Charles River Campus
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04362696
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 4230E
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 21 Apr 2020
- Last updated
- 23 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Improving Working Memory in Older Adults by Restoring Large-Scale Cortical Interactions
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04362696
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 4230E
- Conditions
- Memory Disorders in Old Age
- Keywords
- aged-related memory, cognitive decline, transcranial electrical current stimulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 964 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Boston University Charles River CampusUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Apr 2020 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The research program will evaluate the theoretical claim that age-related memory and cognitive decline in humans result from the inefficient orchestration of rhythmic activity within large-scale cortical networks. The results will contribute to the basic science groundwork for developing future non-pharmacological interventions aimed at boosting memory and cognition in aging and clinical populations.
Detailed description
The investigators hypothesize that aged-related memory and cognitive impairments emerge from large-scale functional dysconnectivity and by stimulating the brain noninvasively with extremely weak levels of electrical current, it may be possible to re-synchronize connectivity and stabilize or improve memory and cognitive function, measured behaviorally. The experiments of this project are proposed as between-subjects, sham-controlled, and double-blind in design, and use noninvasive electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements of rhythmic brain activity. The experimental intervention involves the application of low-intensity, high-definition, transcranial electrical current stimulation while subjects perform a variety of computer-based tasks that probe memory and cognitive function.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| active stimulation | Experimental | Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation |
| sham stimulation | Sham comparator | Device: High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- For Experiment 1, 18-30 years
- For Experiment 2, 60-80 years
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- Has color vision.
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Metal implants in the head
- Implanted electronic devices
- A history of neurological problems or head injury
- Skin sensitivity
- Claustrophobia
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| High definition transcranial electrical current stimulationLow-intensity and safe, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of gradually modulating levels of neuronal excitability. | Device | active stimulation, sham stimulation |
Primary outcome
Memory performance success (sham stimulation condition)
Time frame: During sham intervention
The accuracy of task performance (in percentage correct units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Memory performance success (active stimulation condition)
Time frame: During active intervention
The accuracy of task performance (in percentage correct unit) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Memory performance speed (sham stimulation condition)
Time frame: During sham intervention
The reaction time of task performance (in millisecond units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Memory performance speed (active stimulation condition)
Time frame: During active intervention
The reaction time of task performance (in millisecond units) in the delayed-match-to-sample working memory paradigm
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Robert MG Reinhart, PhD principal investigator
Boston University Charles River Campus
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing High definition transcranial electrical current stimulation in people with Memory Disorders in Old Age, run by Boston University Charles River Campus 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 4 inclusion and 8 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 23 Jul 2026. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Memory performance success (sham stimulation condition) (time frame: During sham intervention). The study lists 4 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 23 Jul 2026.