Testing Personalized High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) as a Treatment of Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age50+
SponsorUniversity of Michigan

About this trial

This study is being completed to learn if high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) has an effect on visual and thinking abilities in persons with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Participants will be randomized to receive real or sham HD-tDCS (8 sessions over 4 days).

Following the randomized treatment, participants will have optional open-label phase with real HD-tDCS up to 26 weeks and other possible testing.

Eligibility criteria

Qualifiers

Diagnosis or symptoms consistent with PCA

Fluent in English

HD-tDCS compatible

Stable on relevant medications for at least approximately 4 weeks prior to study enrollment

Disqualifiers

Other relevant neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy) or injuries (e.g., large vessel stroke, moderate-severe traumatic brain injury) viewed as primary to deficits since these could interfere with etiologic considerations and confound study results

Active, relevant psychiatric conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) since the symptoms of these conditions may confound study participation.

A recent (e.g., within the past 2 years) significant history of, or current, alcohol or drug abuse/dependence. Remote history of abuse/dependence is not exclusionary as long as it is not considered to be the primary etiology for visuospatial deficits.

Women that are lactating/breastfeeding, pregnant, or may potentially be pregnant will be excluded from the study.

Trial design

Treatments tested in this trial

  • HD-tDCS sessions
  • Sham HD-tDCS sessions
  • HD-tDCS sessions - Open-label (after randomized treatment)

Treatment groups

50 Participants
are divided into 3 treatment groups

Sponsors and collaborators