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Behavioural Intervention

Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease

Phase 2
Recruiting
Led By Dan Iosifescu, MD
Research Sponsored by NYU Langone Health
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Age ≥ 65 years and ≤ 85 years.
Meets the Petersen MCI criteria for Amnestic MCI (single and multiple domain) with a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) between 0.5 to 1, and a Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) of 1-3.
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up month 3
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial will study the effects of t-PBM, a pulsed, 808nm wavelength laser delivery to the forehead, on amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for people aged 65-85 with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's, who have at least a high school education and can consent to the study. Participants need a relative to confirm reports and must fit comfortably in imaging scanners without claustrophobia or metal implants that interfere with MRI.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The TRAP-AD study tests if tPBM (a type of light therapy) helps brain function in those with memory issues due to aging. It involves daily sessions over 8 weeks, comparing active tPBM against a sham treatment while monitoring changes through advanced brain scans like PET and fMRI.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Potential side effects are not detailed here but could include discomfort from wearing the device, skin irritation at application sites, or reactions related to light sensitivity for those undergoing active tPBM treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I am between 65 and 85 years old.
Select...
I have mild memory loss that affects my daily life, but I am not severely impaired.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~month 3
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and month 3 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Secondary outcome measures
Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III) Score
Change in Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Update (RBANS) Total Scale Index Score.
Change in Systemic Assessment for Treatment Emergent Events - Specific Inquiry (SAFTEE-SI) Score
+7 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Transcranial Photobiomodulation (t-PBM)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Group II: ShamPlacebo Group2 Interventions
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
18F-MK-6240
2019
Completed Phase 2
~220

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

NYU Langone HealthLead Sponsor
1,367 Previous Clinical Trials
839,636 Total Patients Enrolled
National Institutes of Health (NIH)NIH
2,696 Previous Clinical Trials
6,952,454 Total Patients Enrolled
Alzheimer's AssociationOTHER
89 Previous Clinical Trials
40,638 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Behavioural Intervention) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Research Study Groups: Sham, Transcranial Photobiomodulation (t-PBM)
Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial 2023: Transcranial Photobiomodulation Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Transcranial Photobiomodulation (Behavioural Intervention) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Testimony for trial: Trial Name: NCT04784416 — Phase 2

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Who can sign up to be part of this research project?

"This study is looking for 125 participants with Alzheimer disease aged 65 and 85. Candidates are required to meet the following criteria: Age ≥ 65 years and ≤ 85 years, Meets the Petersen MCI criteria for Amnestic MCI (single and multiple domain) with a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) between 0.5 to 1, and a Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) of 1-3, Consents to permit and identifies a willing informed relative, family member, or spouse for study staff to interview to confirm subject reports as per UDS 3.0 guidelines., Have at least a high school"

Answered by AI

How many people are signing up for this clinical trial?

"That is accurate. The clinical trial was originally posted on 4/27/2021, and as of right now, they are still recruiting participants. They are looking for a total of 125 people at 3 different sites."

Answered by AI

How can interested individuals sign up for this research project?

"The study, which was originally advertised on clinicaltrials.gov on April 27th 2021, is still recruiting patients."

Answered by AI

Could you explain the age requirements for this clinical trial?

"The age requirements to participate in this trial are being 65 years or older, and younger than 85 years old."

Answered by AI

Has 18F-MK-6240 received the go-ahead from the FDA?

"There is some evidence that 18F-MK-6240 is safe, but none to support its efficacy. Our team rates it as a 2."

Answered by AI

Who else is applying?

What state do they live in?
New Jersey
Massachusetts
New York
What site did they apply to?
Massachusetts General Hospital
NYU Langone Health
What portion of applicants met pre-screening criteria?
Met criteria
Did not meet criteria
How many prior treatments have patients received?
1
0

Why did patients apply to this trial?

Starting to see signs if memory loss. Exercise daily plus on escitalopram and donepezil. Motivated to improve.
PatientReceived no prior treatments
Exercise daily plus on escitalopram and donepezil. Motivated to improve. And recover!
PatientReceived 2+ prior treatments
I currently take Memantine (2x/day) and Donezapril (PM) and am functioning well. I still deal with tiredness and some memory issues, though not consistently).
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment

What questions have other patients asked about this trial?

How long do screening visits take? How many in person visits? How long is the study?
PatientReceived 1 prior treatment

How responsive is this trial?

Typically responds via
Phone Call
Most responsive sites:
  1. NYU Langone Health: < 24 hours
Average response time
  • < 2 Days
~35 spots leftby Jun 2025