High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Episode Memory in Individuals with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and History of TBI
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for the earlier development of Alzheimer dementia (AD) and has been reported to lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing depression and aggression during aging. Although there is considerable scientific and public interest, to date there are no studies examining interventions to reduce the symptoms associated with TBI during aging. Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is often a prodromal stage for Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and is the earliest clinical threshold where episodic memory deficits manifest. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a safe, portable, and low-cost intervention that uses an array of small electrodes to pass a low level current through targeted brain regions to modulate neuronal activity and brain circuitry. Neuromodulation therapies have been found to have promising benefits for treating depression and improving cognitive function in patients with and without brain lesions. The proposed study would be the first to examine the efficacy of HD-tDCS on improving episodic memory in individuals having a history of TBI with prodromal AD (i.e., aMCI). Entraining the circuit involved in episodic memory by applying HD-tDCS to targeted brain regions may improve the functioning (episodic memory) of the circuit and lessen symptoms. A total of 24 former military and non-military participants with aMCI and a history of TBI will be randomly assigned to receive 10 sessions of either active HD-tDCS stimulation or sham across 2 weeks. A neuropsychological test battery consisting of episodic memory measures will be completed prior to the HD-tDCS/sham sessions, immediately after the last HD-tDCS/sham sessions, and again at a 3-month follow-up. The project will test whether HD-tDCS results in improvements in episodic memory tasks over the sham condition to determine if the damage to neural memory circuitry appears amenable to enhancement with HD-tDCS among those with a history of TBI and prodromal AD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010493
Entities
People
- Christian LoBue
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center