Actively Recruiting
Deep Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the Precuneus for Alzheimer Disease (AD)
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2026-01-21
54
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
102 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the precuneus is feasible, tolerable, and potentially efficacious for memory in Probable Alzheimer's Dementia. Previous work studying rTMS in Alzheimer's is mixed, but recent work studying rTMS of the precuneus is encouraging for both its short-term and long-term effects. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Is deep rTMS of the precuneus feasible and tolerable in Alzheimer's? * Are there signs of positive brain changes in response to deep rTMS? * Is deep rTMS potentially efficacious for memory in Alzheimer's? Researchers will compare active stimulation to placebo stimulation while obtaining memory testing and measurements of the brain (imaging, scalp electrode measurements, bloodwork) to see if active treatment works to treat mild-to-moderate probable Alzheimer's Dementia. Participants will: * Engage with memory testing, brain scans, and bloodwork during a comprehensive assessment * Visit the clinic 3 times for 12 consolidated rTMS sessions, followed by 4 once weekly maintenance sessions * Be offered a full open-label active treatment course after completing their treatment course if they are initially in the placebo group
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Deep Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) of the Precuneus for Alzheimer Disease (AD)
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 60 to 100 at the start of the study
- Established diagnosis of Alzheimer's Clinical Syndrome or Alzheimer's Dementia
- Able and willing to complete the informed consent process
- Have a caregiver or study partner who can accompany them to all study visits
- Have a known alternate surrogate decision-maker who can attend the informed consent visit
- Screening Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18 and 26
- Screening Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score less than 6
- Either treated with memory-enhancing medication for at least 2 months, failed a trial with no plan to retry, or no trial planned during the study
- No change in use of psychotropic medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD, or psychosis for 2 weeks prior to the study
You will not qualify if you...
- Participant or surrogate unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
- Currently pregnant or potentially pregnant
- Diagnosis of dementia or cognitive disorder not caused by Alzheimer's Disease
- Severe dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating greater than 2.0) at study start
- History of substance use disorder not in sustained remission
- Substance misuse in past 6 months (excluding nicotine or caffeine)
- History of stroke, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, or major neurologic disorder such as epilepsy, Huntington's disease, or Parkinson's disease
- History of seizure disorder or family history of seizure disorder in a first-degree relative
- Poorly controlled hypertension, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease
- Any major active medical, neurological, or psychiatric illness affecting cognition or safe study participation
- Non-fluent in English
- Contraindications to TMS or MRI including claustrophobia, incompatible metal implants, recent surgery within 60 days, or previous abnormal MRI results
- Previous history of TMS treatment
- Currently enrolled in a memory-enhancement study
- Recent or planned changes in cognitive-enhancement medication dose within 2 months
- History of treatment with monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's Disease
- Use within past 2 weeks of anticholinergic drugs, sedating antihistamines, benzodiazepines, antiepileptic agents, or antipsychotic agents (some decided case-by-case)
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA TMS Clinical and Research Service
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Cole Mathews
CONTACT
M
Michael Leuchter, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
3
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