Completed

Direct Current Brain Polarization in Frontotemporal Dementia

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What is being tested

Data Collection

Who is being recruted

Aphasia
+17

+ Mental Disorders
+ Brain Diseases
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Phase 1
Interventional
Study Start: February 2004
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner
Study start date: February 1, 2004Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

Introduction: In this study, we will use anodal direct current (DC) polarization at 2 mA to treat patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Currently, there is no effective treatment for these patients. Previously, in healthy volunteers, we observed that DC polarization of the left prefrontal area for 20 min safely increases verbal fluency, cognitive processing speed (working memory and attention) and motor reaction speed. Both of these functions are severely impaired in FTD. Objective: We wish to see whether anodal DC polarization of the left prefrontal cortex in FTD patients leads to improvement in verbal fluency and working memory. Design: In this pilot study, we propose to treat six FTD patients for 40 min with anodal and sham DC polarization in a single-blind, crossover design. Outcome Measures: The main outcome measures will be verbal fluency and working memory. If anodal DC polarization produces clinically relevant improvements in these patients this will provide the impetus for a larger trial.

Official TitleDirect Current Brain Polarization in Frontotemporal Dementia 
NCT00077896
Principal SponsorNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Last updated: January 13, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details
6 patients to be enrolledTotal number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.
Treatment Study
These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Conditions
Criteria
Any sexBiological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.
Healthy volunteers not allowedIf individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.
Conditions
Pathology
Aphasia
Mental Disorders
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Communication Disorders
Dementia
Language Disorders
Metabolic Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Neurologic Manifestations
Speech Disorders
Aphasia, Primary Progressive
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurobehavioral Manifestations
Neurocognitive Disorders
Pick Disease of the Brain
Proteostasis Deficiencies
Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
TDP-43 Proteinopathies
Frontotemporal Dementia
Criteria

INCLUSION CRITERIA: -Six patients referred to the Cognitive Neuroscience Section, NINDS, with a clinical diagnosis of FTD confirmed here, will be selected to participate in the study. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Greater than 75 years of age. * Presence of metal in the head other than dental hardware. * Broken skin in the area of the stimulating electrodes. * Any behavioral disorder that makes testing impossible. * Children are excluded, as FTD is not a childhood illness.

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.
This study has 1 location
Suspended
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)Bethesda, United StatesSee the location
CompletedOne Study Center
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