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Figueroa-Vargas A, Góngora B, Alonso MF, Ortega A, Soto-Fernández P, Z-Rivera L, Ramírez S, González F, Muñoz Venturelli P, Billeke P. The effect of a cognitive training therapy based on stimulation of brain oscillations in patients with mild cognitive impairment in a Chilean sample: study protocol for a phase IIb, 2 × 3 mixed factorial, double-blind randomised controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:144. [PMID: 38395980 PMCID: PMC10885461 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07972-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ageing population has increased the prevalence of disabling and high-cost diseases, such as dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The latter can be considered a prodromal phase of some dementias and a critical stage for interventions to postpone the impairment of functionality. Working memory (WM) is a pivotal cognitive function, representing the fundamental element of executive functions. This project proposes an intervention protocol to enhance WM in these users, combining cognitive training with transcranial electrical stimulation of alternating current (tACS). This technique has been suggested to enhance the neuronal plasticity needed for cognitive processes involving oscillatory patterns. WM stands to benefit significantly from this approach, given its well-defined electrophysiological oscillations. Therefore, tACS could potentially boost WM in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS This study is a phase IIb randomised, double-blind clinical trial with a 3-month follow-up period. The study participants will be 62 participants diagnosed with MCI, aged over 60, from Valparaíso, Chile. Participants will receive an intervention combining twelve cognitive training sessions with tACS. Participants will receive either tACS or placebo stimulation in eight out of twelve training sessions. Sessions will occur twice weekly over 6 weeks. The primary outcomes will be electroencephalographic measurements through the prefrontal theta oscillatory activity, while the secondary effects will be cognitive assessments of WM. The participants will be evaluated before, immediately after, and 3 months after the end of the intervention. DISCUSSION The outcomes of this trial will add empirical evidence about the benefits and feasibility of an intervention that combines cognitive training with non-invasive brain stimulation. The objective is to contribute tools for optimal cognitive treatment in patients with MCI. To enhance WM capacity, postpone the impairment of functionality, and obtain a better quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05291208. Registered on 28 February 2022. ISRCTN87597719 retrospectively registered on 15 September 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación del Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio LaNCE, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Begoña Góngora
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - María Francisca Alonso
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Alonso Ortega
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Patricio Soto-Fernández
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Lucía Z-Rivera
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Sebastián Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación del Desarrollo en Cognición y Lenguaje (CIDCL), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Francisca González
- Centro de Estudios Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Paula Muñoz Venturelli
- Centro de Estudios Clínicos, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Billeke
- Laboratorio de Neurociencia Social y Neuromodulación del Centro de Investigación en Complejidad Social (neuroCICS), Facultad de Gobierno, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
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Palimariciuc M, Oprea DC, Cristofor AC, Florea T, Dobrin RP, Dobrin I, Gireadă B, Gavril R, Mawas I, Bejenariu AC, Knieling A, Ciobica A, Chiriță R. The Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Neurol Int 2023; 15:1423-1442. [PMID: 38132971 PMCID: PMC10745513 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15040092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) came into consideration in recent years as a promising, non-invasive form of neuromodulation for individuals suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI represents a transitional stage between normal cognitive aging and more severe cognitive decline, which appears in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Numerous studies have shown that tDCS can have several useful effects in patients with MCI. It is believed to enhance cognitive functions, including memory and attention, potentially slowing down the progression of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. tDCS is believed to work by modulating neuronal activity and promoting synaptic plasticity in the brain regions associated with cognition. Moreover, tDCS is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, making it an attractive option for long-term therapeutic use in MCI. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal stimulation parameters and long-term effects of tDCS in this population, as well as its potential to serve as a complementary therapy alongside other interventions for MCI. In this review, we included 16 randomized clinical trials containing patients with MCI who were treated with tDCS. We aim to provide important evidence for the cognitive enhancement using tDCS in patients with MCI, summarizing the effects and conclusions found in several clinical trials, and discuss its main mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matei Palimariciuc
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Dan Cătălin Oprea
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ana Caterina Cristofor
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Tudor Florea
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Romeo Petru Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Dobrin
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Gireadă
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Radu Gavril
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Iasmin Mawas
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
| | - Andreea Cristina Bejenariu
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
| | - Anton Knieling
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, 700455 Iași, Romania;
- Forensic Science Department, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, B-dul Carol I No. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania;
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, Splaiul Independentei Nr. 54, Sector 5, 050094 Bucuresti, Romania
- Centre of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, B-dul Carol I No. 8, 700506 Iasi, Romania
- Preclinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iași, Romania
| | - Roxana Chiriță
- Department of Medicine III, Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (M.P.); (D.C.O.); (A.C.C.); (T.F.); (I.D.); (B.G.); (R.G.); (I.M.); (A.C.B.); (R.C.)
- Institute of Psychiatry “Socola”, 36 Bucium Street, 700282 Iasi, Romania
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