Treatment of COVID-19 Post-acute Cognitive Impairment Sequelae With tDCS (PASC)

August 26, 2024 updated by: Andre R Brunoni, University of Sao Paulo

Treatment of COVID-19 Post-acute Cognitive Impairment Sequelae (PASC) With Portable Brain Stimulation: a Double-blind, Randomized-controlled Trial

After almost 2 years of pandemic, the consequences of the post-COVID syndrome, or PASC (Post Acute-Sequelae of Sars-CoV-2), have become a major challenge in the management of affected patients, generating costs for health services. and insecurity regarding treatments for the sequelae, given the complex and still poorly understood pathophysiology of COVID-19.

This troubling scenario raises important questions about the impact of COVID-19 on central nervous system sequelae, including the risk of cognitive decline in old age and progression to dementia. Therefore, studies that propose the possibility of treatment for this new clinical condition and that are free from systemic side effects, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cognitive treatment, are extremely important in the face of this scenario. In addition, the evaluation of the neural mechanisms underlying the cognitive alterations of the PASC syndrome and after the treatment using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) becomes relevant in view of the lack of studies related to the topic.

Therefore, the objective of this double-blind randomized clinical trial is to assess whether tDCS associated with cognitive training can improve symptoms in patients with persistent cognitive deficits that started between 1 and 6 months after the resolution of acute COVID-19 infection (PASC) compared to the sham (placebo) group, in addition to exploring the structural, microstructural, functional and modeled electric field changes associated with cognitive alterations due to PASC syndrome and tDCS combined with cognitive treatment. 60 patients aged between 18 and 70 years and with a positive diagnosis of mild to moderate COVID-19 in the last 6 months in relation to the time of entry into the study will be recruited. All of them will be pre-screened online and in person to confirm the cognitive dysfunction associated with PASC.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

As of August 1, 2021, novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2), had infected over 200 million people and accounted for more than 4 million deaths worldwide. After remission of the acute phase of the disease, many patients report persistent symptoms that go far beyond the consequences of the pulmonary involvement itself and can impose chronic sequelae of COVID-19. According to the World Health Organization, post-COVID-19 syndrome occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms and lasting at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. The most common complaints are extreme fatigue, inability to perform activities of daily living that involve physical or cognitive exertion, emotional dysregulation, mental fog, and other symptoms of cognitive impairment. Symptoms may be new after initial recovery from an acute episode of COVID-19 or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms can also fluctuate or recur over time.

Given the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, there is an urgent need to develop treatment alternatives for PASC-related cognitive and memory deficits. In this context, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS or tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation intervention that may be promising in these cases. It represents an interesting opportunity for targeting the neural circuits underlying neurological, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders. For example, once a target neural circuit has been identified as a related region of interest for a neuropsychiatric disorder, neuromodulation methods could be used to selectively modify activities in the target region. In tDCS, a direct, low-intensity electrical current (e.g., typically 1-4 mA) is passed through at least two electrodes (i.e., anode and cathode), which are applied non-invasively to the scalp. TDCS modulates neuronal activity at the network level by producing current flow around neurons and resulting in an incremental change in neuronal membrane potentials. In turn, such potential changes lead to a series of changes in neuronal function, such as a change in firing rates.

Thus, tDCS can induce long-term changes in brain activity. Learning ability requires functional changes that can be induced by tDCS, which makes this technique a promising tool to improve cognitive performance. In fact, tDCS has already been successfully used in non-COVID-19 samples to improve cognitive performance in several domains, such as working memory, episodic memory, executive function, and language. It is also worth noting that tDCS presents definite or probable evidence of efficacy for several neuropsychiatric disorders that are often accompanied by cognitive deficits such as addiction, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease (motor and cognitive impairment), epilepsy, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression.

TDCS has attractive advantages for clinical use, such as affordability, lower cost than magnetic stimulation, ease of use and operation, especially for customized devices, and portability. In fact, the development of portable devices with remote control allows for greater ease of use and feasibility in uncontrolled pandemic scenarios. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that the effects of tDCS may be enhanced by a concomitantly administered intervention. Neurophysiological studies have shown that tDCS parameters used in clinical practice have an unlikely impact on neural spiking, as such modulation is only achieved at doses ≥ 4.5mA. Rather, the effects of tDCS on behavior are best explained by modulating ongoing activity. According to the "selective activity" hypothesis, tDCS preferentially modulates a neuronal network that is already activated, rather than separate inactive neuronal networks. For example, in vitro direct current stimulation (DCS) preferentially increased plasticity in a synaptic pathway previously stimulated at 0.1 Hz, whereas DCS alone, without preactivation, did not influence synaptic efficacy. Another study showed that anodic DCS increased long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by high-frequency stimulation, but did not induce LTP per se. In other words, preclinical studies have shown that tDCS is too nonspecific to alter synaptic efficacy alone, but can enhance Hebbian (associative) plasticity activated by task performance.

The pupillary light reflex (PLR) is a reflex that controls the diameter of the pupil in response to variations in light intensities that reach the retina and is modulated by the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that innervate the circular and radial muscles of the iris, while contracting or relaxing, decrease or increase the size of the pupil, respectively. Studies have shown that a specific selection of intensity and light stimulus, wavelength and duration directly influence the contributions of retinal photoreceptors, making it possible to also assess retinal changes beyond the ANS. Patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are known to have alterations in cholinergic neurotransmission, in a decrease in pupil diameter response to abrupt changes in room lighting or a single flash of light. Therefore, the RPL is a good tool for evaluating patients with AD.

Another potentially relevant change may occur in the regulation of the ANS in the heart rate, which can be measured by checking the heart rate variability (HRV). This type of measurement involves the collection of HR for approximately 5 minutes, allowing measurements in the frequency domain, being separated into two bands: the high frequency, associated with vagal activity, and the low frequency, associated with sympathetic activity. There is evidence that HRV is decreased in several cognitive disorders. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the HRV may also be altered in the PASC. In fact, a point of convergence between AD and the cognitive sequelae of COVID-19 would be precisely autonomic dysfunction - chronic, progressive and of neurodegenerative etiology in the case of AD, and acute, caused by the "inflammatory storm" of COVID-19 and its multisystem consequences. Thus, the investigation of this biomarker can help in the understanding of cognitive PASC.

MRI assessments have become important in the study of brain structure and function, their respective changes and associations with clinical and neuropsychological assessment scores. Neuroimaging studies on COVID-related pathologies and associations with cognitive changes, in addition to the assessment of the impacts of non-invasive brain stimulation, are embryonic. Reviews of acute and chronic effects have been published, although they are more qualitative in terms of the damage caused, without exploring quantitative markers of brain structure, microstructure and function. Therefore, the present project is a pioneer in identifying alterations in quantitative markers of multimodal MRI, their associations with neuropsychological assessment scores and for evaluating the effects of tDCS combined with cognitive treatment in a group of patients with CSBP.

The aim of this double-blind randomized clinical trial is to assess whether tDCS combined with cognitive training can improve symptoms in patients with persistent cognitive deficits that started between 1 and 6 months after resolution of acute COVID-19 infection (PASC or syndrome of long-covid) compared to the sham (placebo) group.

In addition, it is aimed to describe the subjective symptoms related to PASC; to assess whether the RPL is altered in patients with post-COVID cognitive impairment and whether it can be used as a biomarker for treatment response; to assess whether HRV is altered in patients with post-COVID cognitive impairment and whether it can be used as a biomarker for treatment response; to evaluate the neural mechanisms underlying the cognitive alterations of the PASC syndrome; and to assess brain changes after tDCS treatment combined with cognitive treatment using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

60

Phase

  • 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 Locations

  • Brazil
      • São Paulo, Brazil
        • Instituto de Psiquiatria

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age from 18 to 70 years;
  • Positive diagnosis (confirmed by RT-PCR nasal swab) of COVID-19 within the last 6 months in relation to the time of assessment;
  • Mild to moderate COVID-19 disease (no hospital stay required);
  • A score above 10 in the cognitive symptoms domain of the Post-COVID-19 Symptom Assessment Questionnaire;
  • Clinical neuropsychological assessment/neurological examination indicating cognitive impairment after acute COVID illness.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Contraindications to the use of tDCS (such as metal plates on the head);
  • Severe acute COVID-19 illness;
  • Less than 8 years of schooling;
  • Presence of serious neurological conditions such as neurocognitive disorders, stroke, lacunar infarction, cerebral atrophy and others;
  • Presence of serious psychiatric disorders, such as untreated mood disorders (including suicidal ideation), personality disorders, or psychotic disorders;
  • Unstable clinical conditions;
  • Use of medications (such as benzodiazepines and anticonvulsants) that can impair cognition;
  • Presence of pathological neuroimaging findings (eg, acute or subacute lacunar or hemorrhagic stroke and others);
  • Presence of a pacemaker, orthosis or prosthesis incompatible with the performance of magnetic resonance imaging;
  • Claustrophobia.

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: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Double-active
Active transcranial electrical stimulation and cognitive training.
Procedure: Active tDCS and cognitive training
Electrical stimulation is delivered by the Soterix device, consisting of a one-size-fits-all, transcranial direct current stimulation headset with square electrodes. The anode is positioned over the left prefrontal cortex, and the cathode over the right prefrontal cortex. Current strenght is set at 2mA for 20 minutes, daily for 5 continuous days (with a 2-day pause) for 4 weeks. Cognitive training consists of a series of tasks performed in the BrainHQ app, which aim to stimulate the impaired cognitive domains in people with PASC. The cognitive training sessions are performed concomitantly to the tDCS sessions.
Sham Comparator: Cognitive training-only
Sham transcranial electrical stimulation and cognitive training.
Procedure: Sham tDCS and cognitive training
Sham electrical stimulation is delivered by the Soterix device, consisting of a one-size-fits-all, transcranial direct current stimulation headset with square electrodes. The anode is positioned over the left prefrontal cortex, and the cathode over the right prefrontal cortex. The sham protocol consists of a fade-in and fade-out phases of 1mA for 45 seconds, followed by a silent period in between for the remaining session time. Cognitive training consists of a series of tasks performed in the BrainHQ app, which aim to stimulate the impaired cognitive domains in people with PASC. The cognitive training sessions are performed concomitantly to the tDCS sessions.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in neuropsychological assessment between experimental groups
Time Frame: Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)
A battery of neuropsychological tests to assess memory, attention, executive functions and mood.
Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in pupillary reflex
Time Frame: Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)
Roland system, composed of a Ganzfeld (Roland Consult), with light-emitting diodes responsible for the stimulus and an infrared camera, capable of recording images in the dark with high spatial and temporal resolution, in continuous recording in recording mode at 30 Hz
Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)
Brain changes using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Time Frame: Week 0 (baseline)
Functional and structural MRI scans
Week 0 (baseline)
Change in heart rate variability (HRV) between experimental groups
Time Frame: Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)
Heart rate measure with Polar device
Week 0 (baseline) and Week 4 (endpoint)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Sao Paulo

Collaborators

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: André R Brunoni, MD, PhD, University of Sao Paulo

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

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)

June 30, 2022

Primary Completion (Actual)

November 30, 2022

Study Completion (Actual)

March 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 19, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 19, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

May 25, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 27, 2024

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 26, 2024

Last Verified

August 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 52917821.1.0000.0068

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

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