NCT04986787: NiBS-iCog

Novel, Individualized Brain Stimulation, Network-based Approaches to Improve Cognition

Status unknown NA Last updated 25 May 2023

What this trial tests

NA trial testing tACS in Mild Cognitive Impairment in 160 participants. Status unknown.

Timeline

1 September 2021

Primary endpoint
31 December 2023

31 December 2023

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Masaryk University
Phase	NA
Status	Status unknown
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	crossover
Masking	double
Primary purpose	supportive care
Enrollment	160
Start date	1 September 2021
Primary completion	31 December 2023
Estimated completion	31 December 2023
Sites	1 location across Czechia

Drugs / interventions tested

• tACS
• TMS — full drug profile →
• TIS

Conditions studied

• Mild Cognitive Impairment — all drugs for Mild Cognitive Impairment →
• Healthy Aging — all drugs for Healthy Aging →

Sponsor

Masaryk University

Who can join

60 and older, any sex, with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Healthy Aging. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Impaired working memory (WM) plays a crucial role in normal aging, in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive decline associated with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aging-related differences in WM are hypothesized to be based on various neurobiological origins, for example alterations in the dynamic interplay between the large-scale brain networks have proven an important role. Recent studies have shown that non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods can modulate neuronal activity, plasticity and large-scale brain network interactions. The investigators hypothesize that multifocal NIBS can improve WM. By successive and concurrent stimulation of multiple brain regions of the WM network by transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and/or repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) the investigators will study dynamic interactions between distinct cortico-cortical and subcortico-cortical brain areas. By leveraging multimodal systems neuroscience information during multifocal stimulation, the investigators expect to acquire better mechanistic understand through which NIBS acts on the brain and improves cognitive functions, such as WM.

Publications & conference data

4 peer-reviewed publications reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. Transcranial alternating current stimulation for neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review of treatment parameters and outcomes.
   Gholamali Nezhad F, Martin J, Tassone VK, Swiderski A, et al · · 2024 · cited 7× · PMID 39211537 · DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1419243
2. Physiology-inspired bifocal fronto-parietal tACS for working memory enhancement.
   Pupíková M, Maceira-Elvira P, Harquel S, Šimko P, et al · · 2024 · cited 6× · PMID 39315230 · DOI 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37427
3. Individualized frequency and montage tACS to engage theta-gamma coupling and enhance working memory in mild cognitive impairment.
   Mirjalili M, Palamarchuk IS, Brooks H, Zomorrodi R, et al · · 2025 · cited 2× · PMID 40530065 · DOI 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1565881
4. Physiology-inspired bifocal fronto-parietal tACS for working memory enhancement
   Pupíková M, Maceira-Elvira P, Harquel S, Šimko P, et al · · 2024