Can sound waves soothe Dementia's emotional turmoil?

NCT ID NCT07718906

First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tests whether a single session of focused ultrasound—using sound waves to gently stimulate a specific brain region—can safely reduce emotional symptoms like agitation, irritability, and anxiety in people with mild dementia. Fifteen participants aged 45 to 80 with Alzheimer's, frontotemporal dementia, or Lewy body dementia will receive the treatment and be monitored for side effects and changes in behavior. The goal is to see if this non-invasive approach is safe enough to study further as a potential alternative to medication.

What this could mean

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

Active substance
a single session of focused ultrasound neuromodulation to a target brain region
What this could lead to
If safe and effective, this could point toward a non-invasive, drug-free way to manage emotional symptoms like agitation and anxiety in dementia.
What could go wrong
This is a very early feasibility study with only 15 participants. It is designed primarily to test safety, not effectiveness, and may not lead to a reliable treatment.

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 ALZHEIMER DISEASE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute

    Morgantown, West Virginia, 26505, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

More trials for these conditions

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