Individualized Brain Stimulation to Improve Mobility in Alzheimer's Disease

Description

The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot, randomized sham-controlled trials to determine the feasibility and effects of a 10-session personalized tDCS intervention targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function, dual task standing and walking, and other metrics of mobility in 24 older adults with mild AD living in supportive housing.

Conditions

Alzheimer Dementia, Presenile Alzheimer Dementia, Aging

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot, randomized sham-controlled trials to determine the feasibility and effects of a 10-session personalized tDCS intervention targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function, dual task standing and walking, and other metrics of mobility in 24 older adults with mild AD living in supportive housing.

Modulating Brain Activity to Improve Cognitive-motor Function in Alzheimer's Disease

Individualized Brain Stimulation to Improve Mobility in Alzheimer's Disease

Condition
Alzheimer Dementia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Roslindale

Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Roslindale, Massachusetts, United States, 02131

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Men and women aged 65 and older living within supportive housing facilities
  • * Mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) defined by the combination of 1) at least mild cognitive impairment defined as a modified TICS score of ≤ 34, 2) informant-report of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living impairment as defined as a score of ≥ 6 on the NACC Functional Activities Questionnaire, and 3) a Clinical Dementia Rating score of 1.
  • * Inability to secure informant participation
  • * Unwillingness to cooperate or participate in the study protocol
  • * An inability to ambulate without the assistance of another person (canes or walkers allowed)
  • * A clinical history of stroke, Parkinson's disease or parkinsonian symptoms, multiple sclerosis, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or other neurological conditions outside of mild AD.
  • * Any report of severe lower-extremity arthritis or physician-diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy
  • * Use of antipsychotics, anti-seizure, benzodiazepines, or other neuroactive medications
  • * Severe depression defined by a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale score greater than 16
  • * Any report of physician-diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychiatric illness
  • * Contraindications to MRI or tDCS, including reported seizure within the past two years, use of neuropsychological-active drugs, the risk of metal objects anywhere in the body, self-reported presence of specific implanted medical devices (e.g., deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, pacemakers, etc.), or the presence of any active dermatological condition, such as eczema, on the scalp

Ages Eligible for Study

65 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Hebrew SeniorLife,

Brad Manor, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Hebrew SeniorLife

Study Record Dates

2025-01-31