BCI With 40Hz Stimulation in Alzheimer's Disease

June 2, 2026 updated by: liu jun, Ruijin Hospital

EEG-Based Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interface Combined With 40Hz Audio-Visual Stimulation for Cognitive Function in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) neuromodulation technique combined with 40Hz audio-visual stimulation on cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial. A total of 90 participants with Aβ-PET positive AD diagnosed according to NIA-AA criteria will be enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio: (1) 40Hz stimulation group (fixed 40Hz audio-visual stimulation, 60 minutes daily for 6 months), (2) individualized stimulation group (closed-loop BCI with real-time EEG feedback to adjust stimulation parameters, 60 minutes daily for 6 months), and (3) sham stimulation group (inactive stimulation, same duration). The primary outcome is the change in MoCA-B score from baseline to 6 months. Secondary outcomes include changes in cognitive domain-specific assessments (AVLT, STT, DST), multimodal brain imaging, EEG parameters, peripheral blood AD biomarkers, safety, tolerability, and comparison of efficacy between open-loop and closed-loop stimulation.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
90

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Binyin Li, MD，Ph.D
  • Phone Number: +8613681884221
  • Email: libinyin@126.com

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shanghai Municipality
      • Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China, 2000025
        • Recruiting
        • Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jun Liu, MD, Ph.D
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Binyin Li, MD, Ph.D

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease according to the NIA-AA 2018 diagnostic criteria.
  2. Age between 50 and 80 years, inclusive.
  3. Positive Aβ-PET scan result.
  4. Has a stable caregiver who can assist with daily stimulation intervention.
  5. Chronic medical conditions stable for at least 30 days.
  6. Adequate vision and hearing to perform testing (at minimum, ability to perceive light and communicate in daily conversation).
  7. Good mobility (able to walk independently or with assistive devices).
  8. Willing and able to provide voluntary signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. History of epilepsy or seizure disorder.
  2. Inability to undergo MRI or presence of significant abnormalities on MRI screening.
  3. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score > 6.
  4. Current suicidal ideation or suicide attempt within the past 6 months.
  5. Other major neurological disorders, including but not limited to: dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Down syndrome, or mixed dementia; other neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, etc.); history of severe brain infection (meningitis/encephalitis) or multiple concussions; metabolic/systemic diseases causing cognitive impairment (syphilis, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, etc.).
  6. Psychiatric disorders.
  7. Severe cardiac disease, chronic liver/kidney/respiratory disease, or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease.
  8. History of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 12 months.
  9. Current exposure to anti-Aβ antibody immunotherapies.
  10. Current use of memantine within 30 days prior to intervention.
  11. Life expectancy < 24 months.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Triple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: 40Hz Stimulation Group
Fixed 40Hz combined audio-visual stimulation, 60 minutes per day, once daily, for 6 consecutive months.
Device: 40Hz Stimulation Group
Participants receive fixed 40Hz combined audio-visual stimulation (visual + auditory) for 60 minutes per day, once daily, for 6 consecutive months. The stimulation parameters are fixed and do not adjust based on EEG feedback.
Experimental: Individualized Stimulation Group
40Hz combined audio-visual stimulation with EEG-based closed-loop feedback adjustment, 60 minutes per day, once daily, for 6 consecutive months.
Device: Individualized Stimulation Group
Participants receive 40Hz combined audio-visual stimulation (visual + auditory) for 60 minutes per day, once daily, for 6 consecutive months. In addition, the device performs EEG acquisition and closed-loop feedback adjustment based on preset algorithms. This allows individualized, closed-loop neuromodulation.
Sham Comparator: Sham Stimulation Group
Identical appearance and operation as the active device, but without effective individualized audio-visual stimulation. Only low-intensity, randomized flashes and audio cues are delivered.
Device: Sham Stimulation Group
Participants receive sham stimulation using a device identical in appearance and weight to the active device. The sham device does not output effective individualized audio-visual stimulation; only low-intensity, randomized flashes and audio cues are delivered.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Basic (MoCA-B) Score
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 6 months (end of treatment)
The primary outcome is the change in MoCA-B score from baseline to 6 months. The MoCA-B is a validated cognitive screening tool for assessing global cognitive function. The score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. The change score (ΔMoCA-B) will be calculated as the 6-month score minus the baseline score. Assessments will be performed by trained neuropsychologists who are blinded to group assignment.
Baseline (pre-treatment) and 6 months (end of treatment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The AVLT is a validated neuropsychological test assessing verbal learning and memory function. The test evaluates immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition. Higher scores indicate better verbal memory performance. Assessments will be performed by trained neuropsychologists blinded to group assignment.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Change in Shape Trails Test (STT-A and STT-B) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The STT is a validated neuropsychological test assessing executive function, attention, and psychomotor speed. STT-A primarily measures processing speed, while STT-B measures executive function and task-switching ability. Lower completion time indicates better performance. Assessments will be performed by trained neuropsychologists blinded to group assignment.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Change in Digit Span Test (DST) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The DST is a validated neuropsychological test assessing working memory and attention. The test includes forward digit span (attention) and backward digit span (working memory). Higher scores indicate better working memory performance. Assessments will be performed by trained neuropsychologists blinded to group assignment.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Change in Structural MRI Parameters
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Changes in structural brain imaging parameters will be assessed using 3T MRI, including gray matter volume, cortical thickness, and hippocampal volume. These parameters will be used to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the intervention. Imaging data will be analyzed by neuroradiologists blinded to group assignment.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Functional MRI (fMRI) Parameters
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Changes in functional brain connectivity will be assessed using resting-state fMRI. Key parameters include functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and gamma-band related networks. Imaging data will be analyzed by neuroradiologists blinded to group assignment.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Peripheral Blood Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Changes in peripheral blood biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology will be assessed. Biomarkers include: (1) amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42); (2) amyloid beta 40 (Aβ40) and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio; (3) phosphorylated tau (p-Tau181 or p-Tau217); (4) total tau (t-Tau); (5) neurofilament light chain (NfL).
Baseline and 6 months
Change in Aβ-PET Standardized Uptake Value Ratio (SUVR)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Changes in brain amyloid beta burden will be assessed using Aβ-PET imaging. The primary measure is the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) in predefined regions of interest (including frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices, as well as the precuneus and cingulate). Higher SUVR indicates greater amyloid burden. Imaging data will be analyzed by nuclear medicine physicians blinded to group assignment.
Baseline and 6 months
Change in tau-PET Standardized Uptake Value Ratio (SUVR)
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 months
Changes in brain tau pathology will be assessed using tau-PET imaging. The primary measure is the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) in predefined regions of interest (including medial temporal lobe, temporal cortex, parietal cortex, and other Braak stage regions). Higher SUVR indicates greater tau burden. Imaging data will be analyzed by nuclear medicine physicians blinded to group assignment.
Baseline and 6 months
Incidence of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
Time Frame: Baseline through 6 months (entire study period)
The incidence, severity, and causality of all serious adverse events (SAEs) will be assessed throughout the study period. SAEs include: death, life-threatening events, persistent or significant disability or incapacity, hospitalization or prolonged hospitalization, fetal distress, fetal death, congenital anomalies or birth defects, and any other important medical events that may jeopardize the patient or require intervention to prevent one of the above outcomes.
Baseline through 6 months (entire study period)
Incidence of Adverse Events (AEs)
Time Frame: Baseline through 6 months (entire study period)
The incidence, severity, and causality of all adverse events (AEs) will be assessed throughout the study period. AEs include but are not limited to: transient dizziness, visual fatigue, headache, nausea, attention fluctuation, drowsiness, eye dryness, tinnitus, irritability, anxiety, and any other unexpected events. Severity will be graded as mild, moderate, or severe. Relationship to the intervention will be classified as: definitely related, possibly related, potentially related, possibly unrelated, or definitely unrelated.
Baseline through 6 months (entire study period)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Ruijin Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 2, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 2026222

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Alzheimer Dementia (AD)

Clinical Trials on 40Hz Stimulation Group

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings