Non-invasive Brain Stimulation for Gamma-induction and Cognitive Enhancement in FTD (Gamma-Induction in FrontoTemporal Dementia, GIFTeD)
This is an interventional, sham controlled, double-blind study designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of 40 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, delivered for 6 weeks once daily in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients. Cognition, gamma EEG activity and brain metabolism via FDG-PET will be measured before and after the tACS intervention.
• Diagnosis of probable Frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD or svPPA)
• Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) \> 18
• FTLD-specific Clinical Dementia Rating (FTLD-CDR) total score of ≤1
• On stable medications related to cognition or behavior for \>30 days such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, anti-depressants, antipsychotic agents, other mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines;
• Age from 40 to 85 years;
• Minimum of completed 8th grade education
• No history of intellectual disability
• Age: 40-85 years
• Normal healthy volunteer
• Right-handed (assessed by means of the Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire)
• MMSE \>27
• Minimum of completed 8th grade education
• No history of intellectual disability