Recruiting

HD-tDCS

Sponsor:

University of Michigan

Code:

NCT07191327

Conditions

Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

HD-tDCS sessions

Sham HD-tDCS sessions

HD-tDCS sessions - Open-label (after randomized treatment)

Study Details

Brief summary:

This study is being completed to learn if high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) has an effect on visual and thinking abilities in persons with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Participants will be randomized to receive real or sham HD-tDCS (8 sessions over 4 days).

Following the randomized treatment, participants will have optional open-label phase with real HD-tDCS up to 26 weeks and other possible testing.

Conditions

Posterior Cortical Atrophy

Study ID

NCT07191327

Start date

Jan 28, 2026

Status verified date

Jun, 2026

Completion date

Jul 31, 2029

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jul 31, 2029

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 50+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis or symptoms consistent with PCA
  • Fluent in English
  • HD-tDCS compatible
  • Stable on relevant medications for at least approximately 4 weeks prior to study enrollment
  • If completing any additional, optional, long-term study visits in a remote location (i.e., not our office), a study partner is required in order to administer HD-tDCS. Those choosing to return to our office may have, but are not required to have, a study partner.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Other relevant neurological disease (e.g., epilepsy) or injuries (e.g., large vessel stroke, moderate-severe traumatic brain injury) viewed as primary to deficits since these could interfere with etiologic considerations and confound study results
  • Active, relevant psychiatric conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) since the symptoms of these conditions may confound study participation.
  • A recent (e.g., within the past 2 years) significant history of, or current, alcohol or drug abuse/dependence. Remote history of abuse/dependence is not exclusionary as long as it is not considered to be the primary etiology for visuospatial deficits.
  • Women that are lactating/breastfeeding, pregnant, or may potentially be pregnant will be excluded from the study.

Study Design

Enrollment

50 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Real stimulation - Randomized

Four consecutive days (2 sessions for 20 minutes each day for a total of 8 sessions) of this blinded stimulation.

sham comparator: Sham stimulation - Randomized

Four consecutive days (2 sessions for 20 minutes each day for a total of 8 sessions) of this blinded stimulation.

experimental: Real stimulation - post randomized treatment

Participants that agree to this will have up to 26 weeks of additional HD-tDCS sessions at home or in-person.

Interventions

HD-tDCS sessions

This project translates decades of observational neuroimaging research into a biologically plausible stimulation target (i.e., DAN) and uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to plan personalized brain stimulation and to ensure target engagement. When available; those not MRI compatible will receive a standard montage with per channel amplitudes of up to 5 milliamperes (mA) or a montage derived from other imaging methods. Participants will receive 4 days of HD-tDCS sessions in person. During these sessions participants will have electrodes placed on different areas of the head and held in place with headgear. Participants may also have memory and thinking tests during and after the sessions as well as questionnaires about the experience. Additionally, on the fourth day participants may have repeat immersive virtual reality (iVR) as well as other study activities.

Sham HD-tDCS sessions

Participants will receive 4 days of sham HD-tDCS sessions in person. During these sessions participants will have electrodes placed on different areas of the head and held in place with headgear. Participants may also have memory and thinking tests during and after the sessions as well as questionnaires about the experience. Additionally, on the fourth day participants may have repeat immersive virtual reality (iVR) as well as other study activities.

HD-tDCS sessions - Open-label (after randomized treatment)

Optional 26 weeks of additional HD-tDCS sessions. Participants can complete up to 5 days per week, but most people will complete about 3 days per week. The study team may also collect audio recordings of these sessions. Participants can complete this in person or at-home via using a secure, HIPAA-compliant videoconferencing with the supervision of a research staff member. Participant's that decide to complete the additional sessions at home, a research staff member will train a study partner during the first 4 HD-tDCS sessions in the office. This option may not be available or appropriate for all participants and the study team member will discuss this with participant's and study partners.

Primary outcome measure

  • Change in network connectivity measured via fMRI [ Time Frame: Baseline and Day 5 (after 4 days of HD-tDCS) ]
  • Measure of form coherence [ Time Frame: Baseline and at end of study intervention (up to 6 months) ]
  • Long-term change in network connectivity via fMRI [ Time Frame: Baseline and end of study intervention (up to 6 months) ]
  • Measures of motion tasks [ Time Frame: Baseline and at end of study intervention (up to 6 months) ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Stephen Schlaefflin, BS

734-936-7360schlst@umich.edu

Eileen Robinson, RN-BC

734-763-1356robinsoe@umich.edu

Locations

University of Michigan

Recruiting

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109

Contacts

Stephen Schlaefflin, BS

734-936-7360schlst@umich.edu

Eileen Robinson, RN-BC

734-763-1356robinsoe@umich.edu

Principal Investigator:

Benjamin Hampstead, PhD

More Information

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Last update posted

Jun 30, 2026

Last verified

Jun, 2026

Keywords

  • HD-tDCS
  • Functional Magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
  • Positron emission tomography/computerized tomography
  • Memory and thinking testing
  • Computerized tests
  • Questionnaires
  • Blood draws
  • Eye tracking and vision tests
  • Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-26. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Michigan on 2026-06-30. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.