Assessment of tDCS-Induced Neuronal Responses in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) With Advanced MRI

CompletedNot a drug-phase studyRelapsing and progressiveNCT03564496

What it found

Results posted, not judged

Results are posted in the registry, but without a statistical test of the main measure. See the numbers below.

What was tested

Treatment tested

  • tDCS Administration during MRI
  • Remotely-supervised Daily tDCS Administration

Compared with

  • Optional 15 minutes of imaging + simultaneous tDCS up to 4.0mA

Results by group

Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2)

Baseline Visit

GroupValueIntervalNumber analysed
Healthy Controls165.84 µmol/100g/min25.32 (Standard Deviation)23
MS Patients128.3 µmol/100g/min14 (Standard Deviation)20
Healthy Control Subgroup159.4 µmol/100g/min21.8 (Standard Deviation)6

Healthy Controls

165.84

MS Patients

128.3

Healthy Control Subgroup

159.4

Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2)

Intermediate Visit (Month 1)

GroupValueIntervalNumber analysed
Healthy Control Subgroup146.42 µmol/100g/min27.71 (Standard Deviation)5
MS Patients140.59 µmol/100g/min13.83 (Standard Deviation)20

Healthy Control Subgroup

146.42

MS Patients

140.59

Neuronal Reactivity (NR)

Baseline Visit (pre-tDCS, post-tDCS)

GroupValueIntervalNumber analysed
Healthy Controls9.84 percentage change of CMRO210.8 (Standard Deviation)23
MS Patients12.45 percentage change of CMRO213.8 (Standard Deviation)20
Healthy Control Subgroup15.61 percentage change of CMRO24.69 (Standard Deviation)5

Healthy Controls

9.84

MS Patients

12.45

Healthy Control Subgroup

15.61

Neuronal Reactivity (NR)

Baseline, Intermediate Visit (Month 1)

GroupValueIntervalNumber analysed
MS Patients4.32 percentage change of CMRO28.44 (Standard Deviation)20
Healthy Control Subgroup22.5 percentage change of CMRO26.88 (Standard Deviation)5

MS Patients

4.32

Healthy Control Subgroup

22.5

Values as posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Outcomes measured differently across trials are not directly comparable.

Safety

GroupParticipants at riskSerious adverse eventsDeaths
Healthy Controls260 (0.0%)0
MS Patients360 (0.0%)0
Healthy Control Subgroup60 (0.0%)0

As posted on ClinicalTrials.gov. Serious adverse events include any serious health event during the trial, whether or not the treatment caused it.

What it measured

Main measures

  • Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2)

    Baseline Visit

    MRI lesions
  • Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen (CMRO2)

    Intermediate Visit (Month 1)

    MRI lesions
  • Neuronal Reactivity (NR)

    Baseline Visit (pre-tDCS, post-tDCS)

  • Neuronal Reactivity (NR)

    Baseline, Intermediate Visit (Month 1)

Other measures (3)

  • Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Score

    Baseline Visit

    Quality of life (reported by participants)
  • Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Score

    Intermediate Visit (Month 1)

    Quality of life (reported by participants)
  • Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Score

    Final Visit (Month 4)

    Quality of life (reported by participants)

Who could take part

Relapsing and progressive · 18 to 79

Show the full criteria

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria for MS Patients: * Participants must be 18 years of age or older * Standardized SDMT Z-score > - 3.0 * Fatigue Severity Scale score > 36 * Definite MS diagnosis as assessed by licensed physician any subtype including Relapsing Remitting (RRMS), Primary Progressive (PPMS) or Secondary Progressive (SPMS) * Score of ≤ 7.0 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale * Clinically stable without disease progression in the past 3 months * Has stable and continuous access to internet service at home compatible with the study laptop (Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable) * Adequate internet capacity for remote monitoring, as tested by http://www.speedtest.net/ * Adequate home facilities (enough space, access to quiet and distraction free area) * Able to commit to the four-week period of training sessions with baseline and two follow-up visits Exclusion Criteria for MS Patients: * Extreme claustrophobia * Relapse or steroid use in previous month * History of mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder, or other neurological condition associated with cognitive impairment * Primary psychiatric disorder that would influence ability to participate * Current uncontrolled seizure disorder * Current substance abuse disorder * Any skin disorder/sensitive skin (e.g., eczema, severe rashes), blisters, open wounds, burn including sunburns, cuts or irritation, or other skin defects which compromise the integrity of the skin at or near stimulation locations (where electrodes are placed) * Treatment for a communicable skin disorder currently or over the past 12 months * Have any irremovable piercings, MRI-contraindicated implantations or metallic based-tattoos * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Wide Range Achievement Test-4th Edition (WRAT-4) Reading Recognition Scaled Score \< 85 * Beck Depression Inventory - Fast Screen (BDI-FS) score > 9 Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls: * Participants must be 18 years of age or older * Standardized SDMT Z-score > - 3.0 * Have not been diagnosed with MS or other neurological disorder * Adequate internet capacity for remote monitoring, as tested by http://www.speedtest.net/ (HC subgroup only) * Adequate home facilities including enough space, access to quiet and distraction free area (HC subgroup only) * Able to commit to the four-week period of training sessions with baseline and one follow-up visit (HC subgroup only) Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls: * Extreme claustrophobia * History of mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder or other neurological condition associated with cognitive impairment * Primary psychiatric disorder that would influence ability to participate * Current uncontrolled seizure disorder * Current substance abuse disorder * Any skin disorder/sensitive skin (e.g., eczema, severe rashes), blisters, open wounds, burn including sunburns, cuts or irritation, or other skin defects which compromise the integrity of the skin at or near stimulation locations (where electrodes are placed) * Treatment for a communicable skin disorder currently or over the past 12 months * Have any irremovable piercings, MRI-contraindicated implantations or metallic based-tattoos * Pregnant or breastfeeding

Exclusion criteria

Not separately supplied in the registry.

As registered. Criteria can change, so ask the trial team or your neurologist.

About this trial

In the sponsor's words

The objective of this trial is to measure the changes in neural activities during tDCS session using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Participants (N=60) (20 Healthy Controls and 40 participants with neurological disorders, ie. multiple sclerosis) will be recruited to complete self-report measures and a brief cognitive assessment and then undergo an hour long stand-alone MRI scan while simultaneously undergoing tDCS stimulation. Methodology for this study is the administration of 15-minutes of of active tDCS during MRI acquisition compared to time without active tDCS.

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History

    1. Started

      Jul 2018

    2. Main results due

      Sept 2021

    3. Finished

      Sept 2021

    4. Results posted

      Jan 2024

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