Non-invasive Deep Brain Stimulation to Enhance Motor Skill Acquisition in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Investigation of the Plasticity of Deep Brain Structures in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Aging (PlasMA)

The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of non-invasive deep brain stimulation on motor skill acquisition in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Participants performed a motor task with non-invasive deep brain stimulation applied to the striatum, which is crucial for motor skill acquisition. The study compared motor skill performance between with the active stimulation and the control stimulation.

This study implemented a randomized, double-blinded, and sham-controlled design, investigating the effects of non-invasive deep brain stimulation on motor skill acquisition in individuals Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Clinical diagnosis of MCI

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to consent

• Severe neuropsychiatric (e.g., major depression, severe dementia) or unstable systemic diseases (e.g., severe progressive and unstable cancer, life threatening infectious diseases)

• Severe sensory or cognitive impairment or musculoskeletal dysfunctions prohibiting to understand instructions or to perform the experimental tasks

• Inability to follow or non-compliance with the procedures of the study

• Contraindications for NIBS or MRI (1):

  • Electronic or ferromagnetic medical implants/device, non-MRI compatible metal implant
  • History of seizures
  • Medication that significantly interacts with NIBS being benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and antipsychotics

• Regular use of narcotic drugs

• Pregnancy

• Request of not being informed in case of incidental findings

• Concomitant participation in another trial involving probing of neuronal plasticity