The aim of this study is to investigate whether a combination of intensive training of visual-spatial abilities (LOCATO task) with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) leads to an improvement in learning and memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to examine the underlying neuronal mechanism.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
21
Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Berlin, Germany
Performance in LOCATO task (Visual-spatial learning and memory) after a combination of intensive visual-spatial training and tDCS
Investigation whether the combination of intensive visual-spatial training (LOCATO task) and tDCS leads to improvement of visual-spatial learning and memory measured by performance in LOCATO task after end of a 3 day period of training compared to sham stimulation.
Time frame: immediately after end of a 3-day period of training in tDCS condition vs sham condition
long term effects
long term effects measured by performance in LOCATO task in tDCS condition after end of cognitve training and after 1 month compared to control conditions
Time frame: after 1 month vs baseline
functional changes: Connectivity
Connectivity (measured by resting-state fMRT and correlation analysis) at baseline compared to end of 3 day period of training
Time frame: end of 3-day cognitive training vs baseline
cortical excitability
cortical excitability measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Time frame: at baseline
Quality of Life
quality of life as measured by standardized questionaire at baseline compared to quality of life measured 1 month after intervention (training and stimulation vs. training and sham-stimualtion)
Time frame: after 1 month vs baseline
memory
memory performance tested at baseline compared to memory performance after the end of a 3-day cognitive training period and after 1 month (posttraining) in training and stimulation vs. training and sham stimulation
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Time frame: immediately after end of 3-day of cognitive training, after 1 month vs. baseline
affective state
affective state measured at baseline compared to affective state measured after the end of a 3-day cognitve training period and after 1 month (posttraining) in training and stimulation vs. training and sham stimulation
Time frame: immediately after the end of 3-day cognitive training, after 1 month vs. baseline
genotyping of learning related polymorphisms
To assess predictors of positive reaction to brain stimulation, genotyping of several learning related polymorphisms will be performed (i.e., APOE, BDNF Val66Met, COMT Val158Met).
Time frame: once