Ignite Creation Date:
2024-05-06 @ 8:11 PM
Last Modification Date:
2024-10-26 @ 3:22 PM
Study NCT ID:
NCT06284720
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2024-03-12
First Post:
2024-01-27
Brief Title:
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Improvement of Episodic Memory in Healthy Older Adults
Sponsor:
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Organization:
Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Study Overview
Official Title:
Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation for the Improvement of Episodic Memory in Healthy Older Adults
Status:
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2024-03
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
Memory complaints are a common symptom among Subjective Cognitive Decline Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease Indeed episodic memory and Alzheimer disease are highly sensitive to aging Many brain areas become active when we remember an event from the past The precuneus part of the posterior system of default mode network has been identified as a central node of episodic memory retrieval and a central node in various psychiatric and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease Age-related changes have been consistently found in the default mode network connectivity occurring within its posterior areas and with the reduction of connectivity between anterior and posterior subnetwork It has also been found that aging is associated with decreased functional connectivity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate of the default mode network Furthermore γ-Aminobutyric acid GABA which plays an essential role in regulating brain activity and modulating the default mode network shows a decrease throughout the normal course of aging in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease It was also verified a link between cognitive decline and the dysfunction of the inhibitory activity of GABAergic interneurons particularly parvalbumin-positive interneurons that play a role in control local circuitry brain networks and memory processing Parvalbumin interneurons are the fast-spiking interneurons that generate and maintain gamma frequency Gamma band has been associated with the encoding and retrieval of episodic memory Impairments of gamma oscillations have been observed in healthy aging Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease
By identifying these functional connectivity changes non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may offer a new strategy for improving cognitive functions Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation tACS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that modulates cortical activity by applying weak oscillating electrical currents to the cortex via two or more scalp electrodes By using alternating currents it is possible to simulate the rhythmic pattern of electrophysiological activity of the brain tACS can interact with neural firing at behaviorally relevant frequencies linked to memory
In this randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study the investigators will evaluate whether stimulation with gamma tACS on the precuneus can improve episodic memory in healthy older adults
By identifying these functional connectivity changes non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may offer a new strategy for improving cognitive functions Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation tACS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that modulates cortical activity by applying weak oscillating electrical currents to the cortex via two or more scalp electrodes By using alternating currents it is possible to simulate the rhythmic pattern of electrophysiological activity of the brain tACS can interact with neural firing at behaviorally relevant frequencies linked to memory
In this randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study the investigators will evaluate whether stimulation with gamma tACS on the precuneus can improve episodic memory in healthy older adults
Detailed Description:
Memory complaints are a common symptom among Subjective Cognitive Decline Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease Indeed episodic memory and Alzheimer disease are highly sensitive to aging Many brain areas become active when we remember an event from the past The precuneus part of the posterior system of default mode network has been identified as a central node of episodic memory retrieval and a central node in various psychiatric and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer disease Age-related changes have been consistently found in the default mode network connectivity occurring within its posterior areas and with the reduction of connectivity between anterior and posterior subnetwork It has also been found that aging is associated with decreased functional connectivity in the precuneus and posterior cingulate of the default mode network Furthermore γ-Aminobutyric acid GABA which plays an essential role in regulating brain activity and modulating the default mode network shows a decrease throughout the normal course of aging in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease It was also verified a link between cognitive decline and the dysfunction of the inhibitory activity of GABAergic interneurons particularly parvalbumin-positive interneurons that play a role in control local circuitry brain networks and memory processing Parvalbumin interneurons are the fast-spiking interneurons that generate and maintain gamma frequency Gamma band has been associated with the encoding and retrieval of episodic memory Impairments of gamma oscillations have been observed in healthy aging Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer disease
By identifying these functional connectivity changes non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may offer a new strategy for improving cognitive functions Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation tACS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that modulates cortical activity by applying weak oscillating electrical currents to the cortex via two or more scalp electrodes By using alternating currents it is possible to simulate the rhythmic pattern of electrophysiological activity of the brain tACS can interact with neural firing at behaviorally relevant frequencies linked to memory
In this randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study the investigators will evaluate whether stimulation with gamma tACS on the precuneus can improve episodic memory in healthy older adults
Participants will be randomized into two groups in a 11 ratio and the order of administration of either intervention ie gamma-tACS or sham will be counterbalanced across all participants Stimulation will be inverted crossover phase after 1 week wash-out Participants will be evaluated with neuropsychological tests AVLT and FNMT and neurophysiological measures of functional connectivity rs EEG
By identifying these functional connectivity changes non-invasive neuromodulation techniques may offer a new strategy for improving cognitive functions Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation tACS is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that modulates cortical activity by applying weak oscillating electrical currents to the cortex via two or more scalp electrodes By using alternating currents it is possible to simulate the rhythmic pattern of electrophysiological activity of the brain tACS can interact with neural firing at behaviorally relevant frequencies linked to memory
In this randomized double-blind sham-controlled cross-over study the investigators will evaluate whether stimulation with gamma tACS on the precuneus can improve episodic memory in healthy older adults
Participants will be randomized into two groups in a 11 ratio and the order of administration of either intervention ie gamma-tACS or sham will be counterbalanced across all participants Stimulation will be inverted crossover phase after 1 week wash-out Participants will be evaluated with neuropsychological tests AVLT and FNMT and neurophysiological measures of functional connectivity rs EEG
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
None