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Amnestic Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNCT04504630

Noninvasive Brain Stimulation on Memory in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and History of Brain Injury

A study testing High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 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

The study will examine the efficacy of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and its influence on episodic memory in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and a history of Traumatic brain injury. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 50 years and older
What is being tested?
High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
26 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
5 Dec 2020to 30 Jan 2025
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 50 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Age 50 and older
  • Native English speakers
  • 12 years of education or higher
  • Active diagnosis of aMCI
  • History of TBI based on VA/DOD criteria

Who cannot join

  • TBI within the past 2 years
  • Lifetime history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, heart attack, or congestive heart failure
  • Lifetime history of epilepsy
  • Major psychiatric disorders (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
  • Substance use disorder
  • Has metal fragments in head
  • Taking medications that may interact with the HD-tDCS effect (i.e., amphetamines, L-dopa, carbamazepine, sulpiride, pergolide, lorazepam, dextromethorphan, D-cycloserine, flunarizine, or ropinirole)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

    Dallas, Texas, 75390

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Episodic Memory in Individuals With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and History of TBI

The study will examine the efficacy of high definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) and its influence on episodic memory in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and a history of Traumatic brain injury. Ten sessions of HD-tDCS to the dorsal anterior cingulate region is expected to result in improvements in episodic memory measures immediately following the last session and at a 3-month follow-up.

Being tested
High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation, Sham HD-tDCS
Medical subject headings
Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Brain Concussion

What participants receive

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

  • High Definition Transcranial Direct Current StimulationDevice

    This wireless device delivers a very low electrical current to focused regions on the scalp in order to modulate underlying brain circuits to promote neuroplasticity. The device will be fitted onto a neoprene EEG cap, with 1 anode electrode placed and surrounded by 4 cathode electrodes in a ring pattern. Electrical stimulation will be applied using a constant voltage cortical stimulator (Model D185, Digitimer Ltd, UK, maximal output 1000 V/1.5 A) with single square-wave 50-μs pulses (0.1 A/μs rise time).

  • Sham HD-tDCSDevice

    Sham HD-tDCS

Study groups in NCT04504630
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active HD-tDCSActive comparatorParticipants will receive 10 sessions of active stimulation (1 mA anodal HD-tDCS targeting dorsal anterior cingulate region for 20 minutes) across 2 weeks, with episodic memory tasks completed at baseline, immediate follow-up after session 10, and a 3-month follow-up.
Receives: Device: High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
Sham HD-tDCSSham comparatorParticipants will receive 10 sessions of sham stimulation across 2 weeks, with episodic memory tasks completed at baseline, immediate follow-up after session 10, and a 3-month follow-up.
Receives: Device: Sham HD-tDCS

What is being measured

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

  1. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised Total Learning

    Episodic verbal memory will be assessed with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). The HVLT-R is a verbal episodic memory task where a list of 12 words is read aloud for 3 consecutive trials followed by a 20 minute delayed recall trial. The number of items recalled immediately after each trial are summed to create a total learning score, ranging from 0-36. Also, the number of items recalled for the delayed trial are recorded as a delayed recall score, ranging from 0-12. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better episodic memory performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately following last HD-tDCS session, and again at 3-month follow-up

  2. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised Delayed Recall

    Episodic verbal memory will be assessed with the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R). The HVLT-R is a verbal episodic memory task where a list of 12 words is read aloud for 3 consecutive trials followed by a 20 minute delayed recall trial. The number of items recalled immediately after each trial are summed to create a total learning score, ranging from 0-36. Also, the number of items recalled for the delayed trial are recorded as a delayed recall score, ranging from 0-12. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better episodic memory performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately following the last HD-tDCS session, and a 3-month follow-up

  3. Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R) Total Learning

    Episodic verbal memory will be assessed with the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). The BVMT-R is a visual episodic memory task where where an array of 6 simple geometric visual designs are presented in a 2 x 3 matrix for 10 seconds for 3 trials. The number of items recalled immediately after each trial are summed for accuracy and placement to create a total learning score, ranging from 0-36. Also, the number of items recalled for the delayed trial are recorded as a delayed recall score, ranging from 0-12. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better episodic memory performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-treatment, and a 3 -month follow-up

  4. Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised Delayed Recall

    Episodic verbal memory will be assessed with the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). The BVMT-R is a visual episodic memory task where where an array of 6 simple geometric visual designs are presented in a 2 x 3 matrix for 10 seconds for 3 trials. The number of items recalled immediately after each trial are summed for accuracy and placement to create a total learning score, ranging from 0-36. Also, the number of items recalled for the delayed trial are recorded as a delayed recall score, ranging from 0-12. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better episodic memory performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Phonemic Fluency

    The phonemic verbal fluency task is a measure of language. The subject is required to name as many words as possible that begin with specified letters within 1 minute. Three different letter trials are completed. The outcome measure for this task is the total number of correct responses across the trials, ranging from 0-90. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

  2. Semantic Fluency

    The semantic verbal fluency task is a measure of language and involves 3 conditions. The subject is required to name as many animals as possible within 1 minute. The outcome measure for this task is the total number of correct responses, ranging from 0-90. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediate post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

  3. Trail Making Test

    The Trail Making Test is a measure of cognitive flexibility and executive functions. The task requires the subject to as quickly as possible complete two conditions, involving number sequencing and then number-letter switching. The outcome measure for this task is the time in seconds to complete the number-letter switching condition, ranging from 15-300. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better performance

    Measured: Baseline, immediate post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

  4. Stroop Color and Word Test

    The Stroop Color and Word Test is a measure of information processing speed and complex attention. The task requires the subject to as quickly as possible complete 3 conditions, involving word reading, color naming, and response inhibition. The outcome measure for this task was the response inhibition trial, which is scored as the total correct items completed in the administration time of 45 seconds, ranging from 0-100. Scores were converted to standardized scores (T-scores) using normative data, ranging from 2-86. Higher scores reflect better performance.

    Measured: Baseline, immediate post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

  5. Digit Span Test

    The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-4 Digit Span Test measures simple attention and working memory. The examiner reads aloud a series of numbers of increasing length, and individuals are required to repeat each series across 3 separate conditions, involving forwards, backwards, and in sequence. Each trial is scored as incorrect (0) or correct (1), and the total number of correct trials across the 3 conditions are summed, ranging from 0-48. Scores were converted to standardized scores (scaled-scores) using normative data, ranging from 1-19. Higher scores reflect better episodic memory performance

    Measured: Baseline, immediate post-treatment, and a 3-month follow-up

Timeline

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

  1. First posted7 Aug 2020
  2. Study start5 Dec 2020
  3. Primary completion16 Jun 2024
  4. Study completion30 Jan 2025

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
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
26 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04504630
Sponsor's protocol ID
STU-2019-1769
Other IDs
CDMRP-AZ190088
Status last verified
Dec 2025
First submitted
5 Aug 2020
Last updated
13 Jan 2026
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: There is a plan to upload study data to the FITBIR repository system within one year of completion.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in people with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury, run by University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 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 7 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 13 Jan 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?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 4 May 2025). 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?

Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised Total Learning (time frame: Baseline, immediately following last HD-tDCS session, and again at 3-month follow-up). 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 13 Jan 2026.

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