Project 467180

The number of people who are living with dementia, which can be characterized by the impairment of their cognition, is increasing with time. Through the activation of the brain using the transcranial alternating current simulation (tACS) and cognitive exercises, the goal is to preserve or improve the cognitive function of people living with dementia. The tACS device generates a small current applied to a specific part of the brain. Furthermore, cognitive exercises are performed through the MindTrigger application developed by Dr. Zahra Moussavi and her research team. A recent pilot study showed that tACS with cognitive exercises displayed improved cognition with longer lasting effects. This double-blind study will increase the sample size (approximately 100 participants) and randomize participants into two treatment groups who receive sham or active tACS while simultaneously playing the cognitive exercises. A third group will only play cognitive exercises for participants who cannot tolerate tACS. The eligibility is mild to moderate dementia determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Participants will receive two 30 minute treatment sessions per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. After the first 4 week treatment session, there is an 8 week washout period followed by a crossover between the two groups and lastly the final 4 week treatment session. The assessments (Wechsler Memory Scale, Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale, N-back, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire) are conducted at the beginning of the study, after the treatment period, and 8 weeks post-treatment. This 3 year project aims to determine if tACS with cognitive exercises will have a significantly higher improvement long-term compared to participants only receiving cognitive exercises.