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Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Acute Ischemic Stroke

This study is testing a new treatment called High-definition Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD C-tDCS) for people who have had an acute ischemic stroke. This treatment uses a weak electrical current applied to the scalp to help protect brain tissue at risk of damage and increase blood flow. Researchers want to find the best dose of HD C-tDCS that is safe and effective in saving brain tissue, as seen on brain scans. You might be able to join if you are over 18, have had a recent stroke, and meet certain criteria, especially if you are not a candidate for standard clot removal procedures. The study is currently recruiting 120 participants.

Study design
This is a multi-site, phase 2a, randomized study where participants will either receive active HD C-tDCS or a sham (inactive) treatment. It aims to find the optimal dose of the treatment.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Researchers will check for bleeding in the brain and how much brain tissue was saved about 24-30 hours after stimulation.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06440707

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of California, Los Angeles
~120 participants
Updated 2026-05-01 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:High-definition Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD C-tDCS)Sham tDCS

At a glance

Recruiting sites
3 of 3 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Presence of Radiographic Intracranial Hemorrhage
Measured over At 24-30 hour post-stimulation
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Acute Ischemic Stroke

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NCT06440707

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 3 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • Duke Medical Center Hospital

    Durham, North Carolinastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • Johns Hopkins Medical Center

    Baltimore, Marylandstudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

  • University of California- Los Angeles (UCLA)

    Los Angeles, Californiastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Mersedeh Bahr-Hosseini, MD
[email protected]
310-794-1195
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

New focal neurologic deficit consistent with AIS
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≥4 or NIHSS\< 4 in the presence of disabling deficit (a deficit that, if unchanged, would prevent the
patient from performing basic activities of daily living such as bathing, ambulating, toileting, hygiene, and eating or returning to work)
Age\>18
Presence of any cortical vessel occlusion, including Internal Carotid Artery, branches of Middle Cerebral Artery, Anterior Cerebral Artery, Posterior Cerebral Artery, Posterior-Inferior Cerebellar Artery
Presence of salvageable penumbra with perfusion lesion volume to ischemic core volume ratio of ≥ 1.2 on multimodal imaging
Patient ineligible for endovascular thrombectomy per American Heart/Stroke Associations Guidelines
Patient is able to be treated with tDCS within 24 hours of last known well time
A signed informed consent is obtained from the patient or patient's legally authorized representative
Patient eligible for tPA per Guidelines
Within 2-hours from intravenous thrombolytic start of administration

Exclusion

Acute intracranial hemorrhage
Presence of MRI and gadolinium contraindications including cardiac implantable devices, cochlear implant, implanted neurostimulation device, unremovable metallic body piercing, magnetic dental implants, drug infusion pumps, estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 35 mL/min/1.73 m2, allergy to gadolinium
Evidence of a large Ischemic core volume more than equal to 100 cc
Presence of transcranial direct current stimulation contraindications - electrically or magnetically activated intracranial metal and non-metal implants.
Pregnancy
Signs or symptoms of acute myocardial infarction on admission
History of seizure disorder or new seizures with presentation of current stroke
Evidence of any other major life-threatening or serious medical condition that would prevent completion of the study protocol, including attendance at the 3-month follow-up visit
Concomitant experimental therapy
Preexisting scalp lesion at the site of the stimulation or presence of skull defects (may alter current flow
pattern)
Preexisting coagulopathy
Patients suspected of having infective endocarditis and ischemic stroke related to septic emboli
Patients suspected or known to be infected with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
Patient with radiographic evidence or suspicion of chronic conditions that may predispose them to intracranial hemorrhage, including brain arteriovenous malformations, cerebral cavernous malformations, cerebral telangiectasia, multiple previous intracerebral hemorrhages (amyloid angiopathy)
Suspected cerebral vasculitis based on medical history and imaging
Suspected cysticercosis
Suspected cranial dural arteriovenous fistula
Cerebral venous thrombosis
Head trauma causing loss of consciousness, concussion, confusion, or a headache within the past 30 days
Patient has suffered a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke within the last three (3) months
History of cancer known to cause hemorrhagic metastases, e.g., melanoma, renal cell carcinoma,
choriocarcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma
History of left atrial myxoma
Evidence of dissection in the intracranial cerebral arteries
Suspicion of aortic dissection
Significant mass effect with midline shift
The patient is in a coma

What this trial measures

  • Presence of Radiographic Intracranial HemorrhageAt 24-30 hour post-stimulation

    Presence of any intracranial hemorrhage on brain MRI, including hemorrhagic infarction types 1,2 and parenchymal hematoma types 1 and 2.

  • Presence of Substantial Penumbra SalvageAt 24-30 hour post-stimulation

    Presence of substantial penumbra salvage on hemodynamic brain MRI is defined as the presence of salvage of more than equal to 40% of penumbra.