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Testing Personalized HD-tDCS for Posterior Cortical Atrophy

This study is testing if high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can help improve visual and thinking abilities in people with Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA), a condition affecting vision and other brain functions. You might be able to join if you are 50 or older, have a PCA diagnosis or symptoms, and are fluent in English. The study aims to see if HD-tDCS can change how different parts of the brain connect and improve how well you can recognize shapes and objects. The study's current status is unclear, and it plans to enroll 50 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study where participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real HD-tDCS or a sham (inactive) version. After this initial phase, there's an optional open-label phase where all participants can receive real HD-tDCS for up to 26 weeks.
What's involved
You would receive 8 HD-tDCS sessions over 4 days, with electrodes placed on your head. You may also have memory and thinking tests during and after these sessions. There's an optional additional 26 weeks of HD-tDCS sessions, typically 3 days per week.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Changes in brain connectivity and form coherence will be measured at the end of the study intervention, which can be up to 6 months.

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

NCT07191327

Testing Personalized High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) as a Treatment of Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Recruiting
NAAges 50+InterventionalTreatment
University of Michigan
~50 participants
Updated 2026-06-30 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:HD-tDCS sessionsSham HD-tDCS sessionsHD-tDCS sessions - Open-label (after randomized treatment)

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in network connectivity measured via fMRI
Measured over Baseline and Day 5 (after 4 days of HD-tDCS)
+3 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Explore related trials

Posterior cortical atrophy syndrome

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Michigan1

Study leadership

  • Benjamin Hamstead, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Michigan

Who to contact

Stephen Schlaefflin, BS
[email protected]
734-936-7360
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Diagnosis or symptoms consistent with PCA
Fluent in English
HD-tDCS compatible
Stable on relevant medications for at least approximately 4 weeks prior to study enrollment
If completing any additional, optional, long-term study visits in a remote location (i.e., not our office), a study partner is required in order to administer HD-tDCS. Those choosing to return to our office may have, but are not required to have, a study partner.

Exclusion

Other relevant neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy) or injuries (e.g., large vessel stroke, moderate-severe traumatic brain injury) viewed as primary to deficits since these could interfere with etiologic considerations and confound study results
Active, relevant psychiatric conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) since the symptoms of these conditions may confound study participation.
A recent (e.g., within the past 2 years) significant history of, or current, alcohol or drug abuse/dependence. Remote history of abuse/dependence is not exclusionary as long as it is not considered to be the primary etiology for visuospatial deficits.
Women that are lactating/breastfeeding, pregnant, or may potentially be pregnant will be excluded from the study.

What this trial measures

  • Change in network connectivity measured via fMRIBaseline and Day 5 (after 4 days of HD-tDCS)

    Functional connectivity measures whether activity in different brain regions show similar patterns of change over time. Graph theory metrics of resting-state fMRI can characterize functional connectivity within the Dorsal Attention Network (DAN).

  • Measure of form coherenceBaseline and at end of study intervention (up to 6 months)

    This will evaluate dorsal and ventral visual stream functioning using a visual paradigm.

  • Long-term change in network connectivity via fMRIBaseline and end of study intervention (up to 6 months)

    Functional connectivity measures whether activity in different brain regions show similar patterns of change over time. Graph theory metrics of resting-state fMRI can characterize functional connectivity within the Dorsal Attention Network.

  • Measures of motion tasksBaseline and at end of study intervention (up to 6 months)

    This will evaluate dorsal and ventral visual stream function. Motion coherence is measured using a visual paradigm.