Modulation of Hippocampal Circuitry and Memory Function With Focused Ultrasound in Amnestic MCI
University of California, Los Angeles
Summary
The goal of this study is to investigate whether Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP) targeting a part of the brain involved in memory will have an affect on brain activity and whether it may improve memory in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease. The main questions the study seeks to answer are: 1. Can LIFUP increase brain activity in the targeted area? 2. Can LIFUP improve memory in people with MCI and mild AD? 3. Can LIFUP improve connectivity of memory networks in the brain? Participants in this study will complete MRIs and memory testing, and receive Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound to a part of their brain involved in memory (the entorhinal cortex).
Description
This is a proof of concept trial of Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP) targeting the entorhinal cortex in patients with amnestic MCI and Mild Alzheimer's Disease. Participation in the study will entail one Zoom intake session, three in-person sessions and three remote Zoom follow-up sessions over the course of about five weeks. The in-person sessions will take about 5 hours for the first and 3 hours for the following two. The Zoom intake session will take 1-2 hours, and the Zoom follow-up sessions will take about 2 hours each. Participants will be asked to complete questionnair…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–90 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria * Amnestic MCI or Mild Alzheimer's diagnosis * Age 50-90 * English-speaking * Ability to provide informed consent * Normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision Exclusion Criteria GENERAL * Participation in another clinical trial * Active use of immunotherapeutic medications for cognition (Aduhelm, Leqembi, Kisunla) * Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's * Inability to provide informed consent MRI-Related: * Weight exceeding 275 pounds * Pregnancy, suspicion of pregnancy, or attempting to become pregnant * Claustrophobia * Difficulties during previous MRIs * Top permanen…
Interventions
- DeviceLow-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP)
Low intensity focused ultrasound pulsation will be administered to the left entorhinal cortex at 650kHz, ispta.3 720mW/cm, pulse repetition frequency 100Hz, duty cycle 50%, duration 30s with 30s spacing between sonications, 6 sonications per dose (participants receive 0, 1, 2 or 3 doses depending on group assignment)
Location
- UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and BehaviorLos Angeles, California