Personalized Transcranial Electrical Stimulation to Improve Thinking Skills in Adults with Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of individualized transcranial electrical stimulation tES in improving cognitive function in patients with central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders and Multiple Sclerosis. These diseases often cause significant cognitive impairment, and this study aims to explore a non-invasive approach to help manage cognitive decline using personalized brain stimulation combined with cognitive training. The study randomly assigns participants to either an active neuromodulation group receiving individualized tES combined with cognitive training or a sham neuromodulation group receiving a placebo-like stimulation that mimics sensations without actual treatment. The active treatment involves about 2mA of current applied for 21 minutes, with EEG and functional MRI scans conducted before and after the stimulation to monitor brain activity. This randomized, triple-blind trial includes cognitive assessments at multiple time points. Participants will undergo standardized cognitive testing before treatment, immediately after the last day of treatment, and again one month later to evaluate changes in memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed. Additional assessments include Symbol Digit Modalities Test SDMT, EEG, and fMRI measurements at the same intervals. The study also monitors safety and compliance, with the total participation period covering these assessments and follow-up evaluations to understand the impact of the intervention on cognitive function.

Effects of Transcranial Electrical Stimulation on Cognitive Impairment in CNS Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases