Home-based Neuromodulation to Target Depression And Memory Symptoms in Older Adults

Description

This project aims to explore the feasibility and effects of a symptom-specific, brain-circuit-based, home-based neuromodulation therapy for addressing mood and memory symptoms in older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in the context of dementia.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder, Alzheimer Disease, Dementia, Nervous System Diseases, Memory Disorders, Depressive Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This project aims to explore the feasibility and effects of a symptom-specific, brain-circuit-based, home-based neuromodulation therapy for addressing mood and memory symptoms in older adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) in the context of dementia.

Targeting Depression And Memory Symptoms With Multi-Focal Circuit-Based Neuromodulation

Home-based Neuromodulation to Target Depression And Memory Symptoms in Older Adults

Condition
Major Depressive Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, 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

  • * willing and capable to give informed consent for the participation in the study after it has been thoroughly explained
  • * able and willing to comply with all study requirements
  • * an informed consent form was signed
  • * able to read, write, and communicate in English
  • * able to identify an eligible administrator to participate with them in the study Caregiver/Administrators (As)
  • * at least 21 years of age
  • * able to read, write, and communicate in English
  • * self-reported computer proficiency and willingness to learn how to use tES as defined by "yes" answers to the questions "Do you feel comfortable using a computer?" and "Are you willing to be the primary caregiver for a participant and learn how to administer tES?"
  • * stated availability during weekdays throughout the study period to administer tES to the participant
  • * contraindications to tES, as recorded on a standardized screening questionnaire, which include a reported seizure within the past two years, use of neuroactive drugs, self-reported presence of specific implanted medical devices (e.g., deep brain stimulator, medication infusion pump, cochlear implant, etc.)
  • * the presence of any active dermatological condition, such as eczema, on the scalp a score of 18 or less on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during the in-person screen
  • * blindness or other disabilities that prevent task performance
  • * an inability to understand study procedures following review of the Informed Consent form
  • * Understanding will be assessed by asking the participant to answer the following three questions: 1) What is the purpose of this study? 2) What are the risks of study involvement? 3) If you decide to participate, are you allowed to withdraw from the study at any time? Answers will be recorded by study personnel on the "Assessment of Protocol Understanding" form. Insufficient understanding will be defined by one or more incorrect answers, as determined at the discretion of the investigator Caregiver/Administrators (As)
  • * mild cognitive impairment defined by a MoCA score ≤26 during the in-person screen
  • * insufficient understanding of study procedures following review of the Informed Consent form Understanding will be assessed by asking the participant to answer the following three questions: 1) What is the purpose of this study? 2) What are the risks of study involvement? 3) If you decide to participate, are you allowed to withdraw from the study at any time? Answers will be recorded by study personnel on the "Assessment of Protocol Understanding" form. Insufficient understanding will be defined by one or more incorrect answers, as determined at the discretion of the investigator.
  • * poor eyesight, severe arthritis in the hands, pain, deformity or other condition that interferes with successful administration of tES

Ages Eligible for Study

55 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Hebrew SeniorLife,

Study Record Dates

2025-06-30