Brain Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: A Resting and Task-based fMRI-MEG Study Examining Alterations in Functional Connectivity Following Treatment With Transcranial Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Detailed Summary

The goal of this observational study was to examine the brain functional alterations accompanying cognitive modulatory effect of anodal transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in sample patients with early Alzheimer's Disease (AD), registered under Geriatric Clinic and Services at NIMHANS, and who were initiated on tDCS for cognitive enhancement. Further, to explore the potential beneficial effect of tDCS, the investigators offered the intervention to the first 40 consenting patients from the amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) (n=21) and mild AD (n=19) samples. The changes in functional connectivity/activations associated with diminished cognitive functions were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), between pre- and post-tDCS intervention. The administration of tDCS followed the standard procedures using a neuroConn DC-Stimulator Plus device (neuroCare Group GmbH, Munich, Germany) with the anode placed at F3 (left DLPFC) and the cathode over the right supraorbital region (Fp2) using 5x7cm electrodes. The anodal tDCS intervention involved daily sessions (between 10-11 a.m.) for 10 consecutive days, wherein a direct current (DC) of 2 mA was administered for 20 minutes (with additional ramp-up and ramp-down phase of 20 seconds each at the beginning and end of the session respectively), adhering to stringent safety measures.

Study Details

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