Led by clinician scientists from our Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, with Joe Verghese, MBBS, and Helena Knotkova, PhD, DPhil, as principal investigators, this single center, randomized, sham-controlled trial examines whether at-home, active transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) administered to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of the brain in older adults with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) can improve cognitive outcomes and modulate neuroimaging markers of neuroplasticity. The trial is also investigating if remotely-supervised tDCS can enhance at-home AD management and improve quality of life for AD patients and their families. 

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neurostimulation method that painlessly transfers low intensity electrical current to the surface of the head, typically with two large (20–35 cm2) saline-soaked sponge electrodes, in order to stimulate the brain. It can induce excitability or activation, which then causes neurons to fire and networks to connect. It may interact with various neurotransmitters and has been shown to cause neuroplasticity. Non-pharmacological management of AD has potential to improve cognition and quality of life. 

Providers interested in learning more or referring a patient to the study can contact the study coordinator, Mairim Melecio-Vazquez, at mairim.meleciovazquez@einsteinmed.edu

For more information about the study and the study design go to: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04404153