Zapping the brain may help memory in mild cognitive impairment

NCT ID NCT05564715

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This pilot study tested whether a gentle brain stimulation technique called HD-tDCS could improve memory and word recall in 27 older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Participants received either real or sham stimulation over 10 sessions across two weeks. The goal was to see if targeting a specific brain region could help with episodic memory and word retrieval.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) device
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a non-drug treatment to ease memory problems in people with mild cognitive impairment.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study (27 people) with no phase, so results may not be reliable or apply to everyone. The effect may be small or temporary.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for AMNESTIC MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT - AMCI are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

amnestic disorder Cognitive Dysfunction

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AMNESTIC MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT - AMCI MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, 75390, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.