Can a gentle brain zapping boost memory in nerve diseases?
NCT ID NCT07029386
First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests whether individualized transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, combined with cognitive training can improve thinking skills in people with central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either real tES or a sham (inactive) version, and their memory, attention, and processing speed will be measured before and after. The goal is to see if this personalized approach can offer a safe, drug-free way to ease cognitive decline in these conditions.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Individualized transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) combined with cognitive training
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this non-invasive brain stimulation approach could offer a new way to ease cognitive problems like memory and attention issues in people with these conditions.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-stage trial, so results may not apply broadly. The treatment is generally safe but may cause mild discomfort, and its benefit over sham stimulation is not yet proven.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 40 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Dec 2024
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria:、 1. Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and other Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases that meet diagnostic criteria; 2. Patients with SDMT scores \<55 or subjective cognitive decline; 3. Age between 18 and 65 years, gender unrestricted; 4. Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scale scores \<7 points for both scales; 5. No relapse or medication changes in the past month; 6. EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score ≤6; 7. Right-handed, native Chinese speakers with sufficient educational background to understand the test instructions; 8. Willing to participate and have signed informed consent.- Exclusion Criteria: 1. Relapse record within the past month; 2. Medication adjustment within the past month or having undergone modified electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or other neuromodulation techniques; 3. Participating in any other clinical research within 1 month prior to enrollment or currently; 4. Presence of cochlear hearing aids, cardiac pacemakers, or implanted brain stimulation devices; 5. Skin integrity damage at electrode placement sites, or allergy to electrode gel or adhesives; 6. History of epilepsy, hydrocephalus, central nervous system tumors, brain injury, or intracranial infections; 7. Pregnant or lactating women, or those planning pregnancy in the near future; 8. Scoring ≥3 on item 3 (suicide item) of the HDRS-17 or concurrent severe mental illness; 9. Concurrent severe or unstable organic diseases; 10. Unable to cooperate with treatment, follow-up, or clinical, EEG, and imaging data collection due to poor patient compliance; 11. Other situations deemed inappropriate for study participation by the researchers.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
RECRUITINGBeijing, China
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