Influence of tDCS on Cortical Plasticity in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Charite University, Berlin, Germany

Overview

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) leads to an increase in cortical plasticity (change in motor evoked potentials (MEP) in mV).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Conditions

Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

transcranial direct current stimulationDEVICE

sham stimulationDEVICE

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 50 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Right-handed according to the Oldfield Händigkeits inventory (lateralization index\> 70) (1971) * Cognitive impairment according to the diagnostic criteria of a MCI (amnesic or even multiple domains) * No therapeutic treatment with AChE inhibitors * No motor impairments relevant to everyday life * Age 50 to 80 years Exclusion Criteria: * Severe neurological / psychiatric or pre-existing internist conditions because additional cognitive deficits are expected * Epilepsy, epileptic seizure in medical history * Cognitive deficit (MMSE \<20) * Depressive episode (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)\> 12) * Newly taking (\<3 months) centrally active drugs, particularly acetylcholinesterase inhibitors * Pregnancy * Pacemaker (contraindication for MRI) * Other metal parts in the body (contraindication for MRI)

Locations (1)

Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Berlin, Germany

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

to investigate whether the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increases cortical plasticity (measured via motor evoked potentials) compared to sham stimulation

Time frame: 1 week

Secondary Outcomes

Comparison of tDCS-induced changes on central cholinergic activity

to investigate weather the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation affect central cholinergic activity (measured via a TMS protocol) in MCI patients compared to sham stimulation

Time frame: 1 week

Comparison of tDCS-induced changes in learning success

tDCS-induced changes in learning success (performance in a motor learning paradigm in patients with MCI after tDCS vs. sham stimulation)

Time frame: 1 week

MR elastography

Comparison of viscoelastic parameters in cerebral MR elastography in patients with MCI

Time frame: 1 week

genetic polymorphism, ApoE4

optional assessment of genetic Apo4 epsilon status for assessment of differences in cortical plasticity and elasticity between Apo4 epsilon positive and negative participants

Time frame: once

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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