A Study of HD-tDCS and Cognitive Training to Improve Cognitive Function in MCI

A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo Controlled Pilot Trial of the Feasibility of High Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Cognitive Training in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The primary objective of this project is to assess the feasibility of multi-field, extended HD-tDCS (MFE-HD-tDCS) with simultaneous computerized CT as a viable intervention to improve cognitive function in patients with MCI. This double-blinded, randomized pilot clinical trial of repetitive daily HD-tDCS/sham HD-tDCS, administered in combination with CT to subjects with MCI in 3 monthly blocks of 5 daily sessions for a total of 15 sessions will enroll 8 participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥50-90 years
2. Willing and able to undergo all procedures
3. Retains decisional capacity at initial visit
4. Meets criteria for MCI, amnestic type (Petersen, 2004).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant kidney injury requiring hemodialysis
2. Automatic Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (AICD) or Pacemaker
3. Significant congestive heart failure
4. History of clinically significant ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, or lacune or infarct considered by radiologist likely to cause or contribute significantly to cognitive symptoms
5. History of thalamic lacunar stroke
6. Modified Hachinski Ischemia Score >4 points
7. History of seizure disorder requiring medication
8. History of brain surgery (for seizure disorder, aneurysms, or benign/malignant tumor)
9. History of HIV/AIDS
10. Severe untreated obstructive sleep apnea
11. Greater than three servings alcohol daily or illicit drug use
12. Major neurologic disorders other than dementia (e.g., MS, ALS)
13. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, other serious mental illnesses
14. Other significant medical conditions at investigators' discretion
15. Pregnancy
16. Lack of study partner (Participants are allowed to find a new study partner if the original study partner withdraws)