NCT05196984Recruiting
Gamma Frequency Stimulation in Individuals With Down Syndrome
Acute Exposure of Individuals With Down Syndrome to Gamma Frequency Stimulation
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 31 Mar 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Down Syndrome (DS) is characterized by an additional copy of chromosome 21, which also increases risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The investigators' lab found a non-invasive way to remove toxic proteins from the brain in AD mouse models. Remarkably, treated mice also have improved memory on behavioral testing. The investigators then translated this non-invasive method, which uses light and sound to stimulate the brain, to be used in mild Alzheimer's patients and cognitively normal adults. The investigators have also translated this research into a vibrating speaker device to study tactile vibration to stimulate the brain as well. For the present study, 30 participants with Down Syndrome and 30 cognitively normal adult controls will be recruited, and the investigators will assess their brain waves with electroencephalogram (EEG) during light, sound, and tactile stimulation. The investigators will also test for safety, feasibility, and cognitive performance before and after a 30-60 minute session of light and sound stimulation to optimize the stimulation devices for use in the DS population.
- Status (registry)
- Recruiting
- Study type
- Interventional
- Enrollment
- 60 (estimated)
- First submitted
- 5 Jan 2022
- Start date
- 6 Dec 2021
- Primary completion date
- 31 Dec 2026
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Diseases
- Alzheimer disease
- NCT number
- NCT05196984
What you commit to
- Study type: Interventional
- Planned participants: 60
- From 6 Dec 2021 to the primary completion date, 31 Dec 2026
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Active treatment with one or more anti-epileptic agent.
- Active treatment with one or more psychiatric agent (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics, etc).
Other illness
- Subjects has history of a dual diagnosis Down Syndrome and Autism
- Subjects with has history of seizure or epilepsy within the past 24 months.
- Subjects with a new diagnosis of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (\< 6 months) or untreated ADHD
- Subjects who have a known history a stroke within the past 24 months.
- Subjects with a known history of migraine headache.
- Subjects on medications that lower seizure threshold such as wellbutrin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, etc.
- Subjects who have an active implantable medical device including but not limited to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), deep brain stimulator (DBS), cardiac pacemaker, and/or sacral nerve stimulator.
- Subjects who have profound and uncorrected hearing or visual impairment.
Other
- Subjects with clinically significant suicide risk and/or suicide attempt in the past 1 year.
- Subjects with behavioral problems such as aggression/agitation/impulsivity that might interfere with their ability to comply with protocol.
- Subjects who are pregnant (self-report).
Who the study is looking for
- Subject is between the ages of 25-65
- Subject must have a clinically confirmed diagnosis of Down Syndrome (karyotypes optional). Individuals with mosaic Down syndrome will be excluded.
- Subject or their legal guardian is willing to sign informed consent document.
- If subject is deemed to not have capacity to sign the informed consent, he/she will need a legally authorized representative to provide surrogate consent.
- Subject will be medically stable with consistent medication over the previous 3 months.
Age in the registry: 25 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Cambridge | United States | Recruiting |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.