Home-based tDCS for Alzheimer's Affective Symptoms
This study is looking into whether a device called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help improve mood and feelings in people with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will test active tDCS, which delivers a small electrical current to the brain, against sham tDCS, which feels similar but doesn't deliver the full current. They hope to see if active tDCS can reduce symptoms like apathy (lack of interest), irritability, and other mood changes. You might be able to join if you are 60 to 85 years old and have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's. The study is currently unclear on its recruitment status and plans to enroll 24 participants.
- Study design
- This interventional study plans to enroll 24 participants. It compares active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with sham tDCS.
- What's involved
- You would have three in-person visits, including brain MRI scans and fNIRS/EEG imaging. You would also use a tDCS device at home for daily 30-minute sessions and complete questionnaires over 5 weeks.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Participants will be followed for 35 days, with assessments at baseline and the end of the treatment period.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Advancing Alzheimer's Care: Home-based tDCS for Affective Symptoms
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Thiago Macedo e Cordeiro, MD, MSc · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Who to contact
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What this trial measures
- Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) severity scoreBaseline to Day 35
A 12 item questionnaire that measures a broad range of psychiatric symptoms. Each individual item is scored from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
- Brief Dimensional Apathy Scale (bDAS)Baseline to Day 35
A 9 item scale completed by caregivers about the participant. Each item is scored from 0 to 3. Total scores range from 0-27 with a higher score indicating more severe apathy.
- Caregiver version of the Irritability Questionnaire (IrQ) How oftenBaseline to Day 35
A 10 item questionnaire, and each item is scored from 0 to 3. Total scores can range from 0-30 with a higher score indicating more frequent symptoms.
- Caregiver version of the Irritability Questionnaire (IrQ) How muchBaseline to Day 35
A 10 item questionnaire, and each item is scored from 0 to 3. Total scores can range from 0-30 with a higher score indicating more severe symptoms.
- Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD)Baseline to Day 35
A 19 item scale which is scored as follows: a - Unable to evaluate the sign or symptom 0 - Absent 1. \- Mild or intermittent 2. \- Severe Total scores range from 0-38 with a higher score indicating greater depression.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Scale (GAD-7)Baseline to Day 35
A 7 item scale scored as follows: 0 - Not at all 1. \- Several days 2. \- More than half the days 3. \- Nearly every day Total scores range from 0-21 with a higher score indicating greater anxiety.
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)Baseline to Day 35
A battery of cognitive assessment tasks. Total possible score that can be achieved is between 0-30. A higher score indicating better cognition.