Trial results for a study investigating home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-10-10, involving 3 participants.
Background
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by cognitive decline and often accompanied by challenging behavioral symptoms. These behavioral symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life for both patients and caregivers, increasing the burden of care. Current treatment options for these behavioral symptoms are often limited or come with side effects. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has been explored for various neurological and psychiatric conditions. This study aimed to assess the acceptability, safety, and potential efficacy of providing home-based tDCS to ADRD patients experiencing behavioral symptoms, offering a potential new avenue for symptom management.
Trial design
This completed study, designated as Phase NA, enrolled 3 participants with Alzheimer Disease. The trial investigated the use of home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The primary objectives were to assess the acceptability and safety of providing tDCS to ADRD patients with behavioral symptoms, and to evaluate its efficacy for ADRD-related symptoms, primarily behavioral symptoms.
What this means
With an enrollment of only 3 participants, this study served as an initial exploration into the acceptability, safety, and potential efficacy of home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. While specific efficacy outcomes or detailed safety profiles are not provided in the posted results, the completion of this small-scale trial contributes to the foundational understanding of tDCS as a potential intervention in this patient population. Future larger studies would be needed to establish definitive efficacy and safety.
Source
The information regarding these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT05478681, titled "Home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Behavioral Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)", were posted on 2025-10-10 on clinicaltrials.gov.