Cognitive Outcomes of Brain Stimulation As a Later-in-Life Treatment

This is a pilot study being done to attempt to improve episodic memory problems in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The pre-supplemental motor area (preSMA) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) have been shown to play a role in episodic memory and language retrieval. Prior studies have suggested that neurostimulation targeting this region can improve episodic memory and word recall. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the preSMA/dACC region and its influence on word retrieval and other cognitive functions in patients with MCI. Entraining the preSMA/dACC circuit with 10 sessions of HD-tDCS will allow us to study whether neurostimulation may be an effective treatment.

Inclusion Criteria: Active diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Female and male subjects, All races/ethnicities, Age 55 years and older, Fluent in English, Exclusion Criteria: Lifetime history of major neurologic syndromes (e.g., epilepsy, brain tumor, etc), Substance use disorder within the past year, Has metal fragments in skull/head, Current vision or hearing impairment that interferes with testing, Current medication use known to alter HD-tDCS reactivity