Brain zapping while walking: a new hope for aging minds?
NCT ID NCT06501820
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether a mild electrical current applied to the scalp (tDCS) can improve how the brain's vestibular network works, which may help with walking and navigation. Sixty older adults with memory concerns will receive either real or fake stimulation during three 20-minute sessions while walking and doing mental tasks. Brain scans before and after will measure changes in network function.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a non-invasive way to improve mobility and navigation in older adults at risk for cognitive decline.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study (60 people) testing only 3 sessions. It measures brain activity and walking variability, not long-term outcomes or disease progression. The effect may be small or not last.
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
-
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
-
About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Nov 2025
- Expected to finish
-
May 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
65 to 89 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * Community dwelling men and women 18-35 years old or 65-89 years old * Ability to walk unassisted for ten minutes * Willingness to undergo all testing procedures * English speaking Additional Inclusion Criteria for those with SCD * Subjective report of cognitive complaints with scores \>16 on the Cognitive Change Index (CCI-20), a validated scale of subjective cognitive decline (Saykin et al., 2013). This scale consists of 20 items that are rated on 5 point Likert scale, where 1= "Normal: No change compared to 5 years ago", 3= "Mild Problem: Some change compared to 5 years ago) and 5="Severe Problem: Much worse compared to 5 years ago".) * No evidence of dementia or mild cognitive impairment based on cognitive screening (i.e., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score within normal limits for age, education and sex using the NACC Uniform Data Set (UDS) norms (Weintraub et al., 2018)\[119\] * No psychometric evidence of cognitive impairment based on performance on the Neuropsychological Battery from the NACC Unified Data Set, version 3\[119\]. The battery includes measures of attention, recent memory, language, visuospatial, and executive function. Norms are available for over 3600 older adults \[119\]. Scores on these measures cannot be lower than 1.0 SD (16th %ile) below normative values based on age, education, and gender. * Reading at \> 8th grade level based on the reading subtest of the Wide Range Achievement Test- IV. * Global Clinic Dementia Rating (CDR) score must be 0 \[156\] * Family history of dementia/probable Alzheimer's disease in first degree relative (parents, children, siblings) * Normal functional behavior in terms of daily activities, based on the Functional Activities Scale\[122\] * In line with recommendations of SCD task force (Molienueva et al., 2017)\[116\] an informant must be available for two reasons: a) to provide information about the participant's complaints using the informant version of the CCI-20, and b) to corroborate normal IADL's on the Functional Activity Questionnaire\[120\] . Exclusion Criteria: * Significant medical event requiring hospitalization in the past 6 months that has the potential to contaminate data being collected (fracture, hospitalization etc.) * Severe visual impairment or corrected visual acuity less than 20/40, which would preclude completion of the assessments * Inability to undergo brain imaging due to claustrophobia or implants such as pacemakers, heart valves, brain aneurysm clips, orthodontics, non-removable body jewelry, or shrapnel containing ferromagnetic metal * tDCS ineligibility for Aim 3 (history of epilepsy, medications that alter cortical excitability, etc.) * History of stroke * Any history of clinically diagnosed traumatic brain injury resulting in \> 1 minute loss of consciousness * Any major ADL disability (unable to feed, dress, bath, use the toilet, or transfer) * Report of lower extremity pain due to osteoarthritis that significantly limits mobility * Diagnosis or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis * Known neuromuscular disorder or overt neurological disease (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis, Rhabdomyolysis, Myasthenia Gravis, Ataxia, Apraxia, post-polio syndrome, mitochondrial myopathy, Parkinson's Disease, ALS etc.) * Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder * Planned surgical procedure or hospitalization in the next 12 months (joint replacement, coronary artery bypass graft, etc.) * Severe pulmonary disease, requiring the use of supplemental oxygen * Terminal illness, as determined by a physician * Severe cardiac disease, including NYHA Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, recent history of cardiac arrest, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina * Is planning to move out of the area during the follow up period * Use of walker or wheel chair * Failure to provide informed consent
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Aging are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
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
-
University of Florida
RECRUITINGGainesville, Florida, 32611, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can sharing old memories boost mental Well-Being in old age?
- Can a Hands-On reflex therapy steady an older Person's stance?
- Scientists ask: when does a balance test score really improve?
- Gut check: can poop pills from young donors turn back the biological clock?
- Your smartwatch could soon warn you before you crash
- Can a tablet game rewire an aging brain to ignore distractions?