Personalized Synchronization of Cortical Rhythms to Improve Memory in Alzheimer's Disease
Boston University Charles River Campus
Summary
The investigators will evaluate the theory that Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment derives from the inefficient orchestration of rhythmic activity at the level of large-scale cortical networks. The results as expected to elucidate AD-related pathophysiology and set groundwork for the development of drug-free interventions for improving memory in AD and related dementias.
Description
The investigators hypothesize that AD-related memory impairments emerge from large-scale functional dysconnectivity, and by stimulating the brain noninvasively with extremely weak levels of electrical current, the investigators may be able to re-synchronize connectivity and stabilize or improve memory and cognitive function, measured behaviorally. The experimental intervention involves the application of low-intensity, high-definition, transcranial electrical current stimulation while subjects perform a variety of computer-based tasks that probe memory and cognitive function.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
All subjects. Age 50-100 years. We will equally recruit subjects with respect to gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic and other factors to allow the results of this research to yield the greatest generalizability. Mild AD dementia. Meets probable AD dementia NIA-AA criteria 86; MoCA 10-25 85; performance on Uniform Data Set version 3 (UDS-3) delayed recall (Craft Story 21) and recognition (Benson Complex Figure) memory worse than 1.5 SD for age and education; worse than 1.5 SD for age and education in at least one other cognitive domain (e.g., language, executive functioning) based on other…
Interventions
- DeviceHigh definition transcranial electrical current stimulation
Low-intensity and safe, noninvasive application of electrical current to the human scalp with the goal of gradually modulating levels of neuronal excitability.
Location
- 677 Beacon St. Room 308Boston, Massachusetts