Brain Stimulation With Memory Training for Mild Alzheimer's Disease
Tests gentle brain stimulation plus memory training in people with mild Alzheimer's disease.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Combined With Cognitive Training in Alzheimer's Disease
Key facts
- Where
- Brescia and Milan, ItalySee the 2 sites
Where in Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio FatebenefratelliBrescia, ItalyTaking people
- IRCCS S. Maria Nascente - Fondazione Don Carlo GnocchiMilan, ItalyNot yet recruiting
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli
- Trial code
- NCT07839650
- Record updated
- 5 November 2026
- Original description
The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and biological efficacy, as well as predictors of efficacy, of a home-based intervention combining transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with individualized computerized cognitive training in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).Read full original descriptionShow less
Interventional Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Combined With Cognitive Training on Cognitive Performance in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease
The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical and biological efficacy, as well as predictors of efficacy, of a home-based intervention combining transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) with individualized computerized cognitive training in patients with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD).
In neurodegenerative diseases, including AD, neurodegeneration is accompanied by alterations in brain oscillatory activity. Restoration of these oscillations through neuronal entrainment has shown beneficial effects in animal models, while previous studies in patients with AD have demonstrated that gamma-frequency tACS applied over the precuneus is safe and well tolerated and is associated with improvements in cognitive performance and cholinergic function, as well as modulation of brain oscillatory activity. Cognitive rehabilitation may also improve memory performance in patients with mild AD. Based on this evidence, the present study investigates a multimodal approach combining gamma-tACS with individualized computerized memory training.
The study is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 30 participants with mild AD. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 will receive real gamma-tACS for 8 weeks (5 sessions/week, 60 minutes/session) combined with cognitive training (2 sessions/week, 30 minutes/session); Group 2 will receive sham tACS according to the same schedule, combined with the same cognitive training. tACS will be applied over the precuneus. Treatment will initially be performed in the hospital and will subsequently be administered at home under remote supervision by the study team.
Assessments will be performed at baseline (T00), after 8 weeks of treatment (T08), and at follow-up visits at 16 weeks (T16) and 24 weeks (T24) from baseline. At each time point, participants will undergo clinical and neuropsychological assessment, blood sampling, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The occurrence of adverse events will be monitored throughout the duration of the study.
The main objectives of the study are: 1) to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of the combined intervention on cognitive performance; 2) to investigate intervention-induced changes in biological markers of neurodegeneration, inflammation, and synaptic function; 3) to evaluate the effects of the intervention on cholinergic transmission through the TMS short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) measure; and 4) to investigate potential predictors of treatment efficacy.
Inclusion: Patients:; Male or female participants aged ≥18 years at the time of signing the informed consent form; Clinical diagnosis of mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) according to current clinical criteria; Availability of a caregiver who can assist the participant and who has successfully completed the required training for the use of the device at home; Caregivers:; Male or female caregivers aged ≥18 years; Compliance with participation in the in-hospital training; Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score >27/30.
Exclusion: Contraindications to tACS and TMS (e.g., presence of a cardiac pacemaker or metallic implants incompatible with electrical or magnetic fields, history of epilepsy, or current pregnancy, as assessed using the safety questionnaire); Age below that specified in the inclusion criteria; Inability to understand.