The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an accelerated deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) protocol in combination with cognitive training can improve cognitive abilities in older adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The study will look at whether it is safe and tolerable to use accelerated dTMS to enhance the benefits of cognitive training in older adults, and will also gather early information on the effects of accelerated dTMS on memory and other cognitive abilities.
This study will examine the effects of combining cognitive remediation with accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (a-iTBS) using the H7 deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) coil to target the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in older adults aged 55-85 with MCI or SCD. Thirty older adults will participate in a single site, double-blind, randomized sham-controlled trial using an accelerated schedule of multiple dTMS sessions per day for 2-5 consecutive days, followed by 6 weeks of online cognitive remediation for both sham and dTMS interventions. The primary goal of the study is to establish the feasibility of an a-iTBS protocol combined with cognitive training in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and to obtain preliminary evidence of treatment efficacy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
30
Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (dTMS) is a new form of TMS which allows direct stimulation of deeper neuronal pathways than the standard TMS. The H-coil is a novel dTMS coil designed to allow deeper brain stimulation without a significant increase of electric fields induced in superficial cortical regions. dTMS will be administered 6-8 times a day for 2-5 consecutive days.
In addition to the active H7-coil, a sham coil is included in the H1-coil helmet.The sham treatment will be administered using the H1-coil helmet 6-8 times a day for 2-5 consecutive days.
Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGPercentage of dTMS sessions attended by participants
Time frame: 1 week
Incidence and type of of adverse events experienced during treatment (participant-reported tolerability) based on the Adverse Events Questionnaire (AEQ)
The AEQ asks about symptoms related immediately after TMS administration where patients rate symptom severity from 1 (absent) to 4 (severe) and whether they believe it is related to TMS from 1 (no) to 5 (definitely).
Time frame: 9 weeks
The number of participants who prematurely withdraw and reasons for withdrawal
Time frame: 9 weeks
Change from baseline memory scores on computerized neuropsychological battery following the final session on day 5
Memory score from memory tests in the neuropsychological battery at baseline will be compared to after 5 days of TMS and after 6 weeks of cognitive training the active intervention group compared to the sham. A higher memory score indicates better memory performance. An effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.5 will be considered a minimally important effect size.
Time frame: 9 weeks
Change from baseline executive function scores on computerized neuropsychological battery following final session on day 5
Executive function scores from tests on the neuropsychological battery will be compared from baseline to after days of dTMS and after 6 weeks of cognitive training in the active intervention group compared to sham. A higher score on these tests indicate greater executive functioning. An effect size (Cohen's d) of 0.5 will be considered a minimally important effect size.
Time frame: 9 weeks
The change in baseline in scores on the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) following 5 days of dTMS
The GAI is a 20-item self-report measure of anxiety developed for older adults. Administration time is approximately 5 minutes. The GAI scores range from 0-20, with higher scores indicating more anxiety.
Time frame: 1 week
The change in resting state activity as measured with electroencephalography (EEG) following 5 days of dTMS
Time frame: 1 week
The change in slow wave activity in the posterior default mode network (posterior cingulate cortex) as measured with MEG following 5 days of dTMS
Time frame: 1 week
The change in functional connectivity within the default mode network based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) following 5 days of dTMS
Time frame: 1 week
The change in baseline in scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
GDS is a 15-item self-report scale that measures an elderly individual's mood. A score greater than 5 suggests that the individual may be depressed. Administration time is approximately 5 minutes. GDS scores range from 0-15 with a greater score indicating greater depressive symptoms.
Time frame: 1 week
The change in baseline slow wave as measured with electroencephalography (EEG) following 5 days of dTMS
Time frame: 1 week
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