Active tDCS for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) can help individuals with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or juvenile macular degeneration (JMD) improve their reading skills. Participants will receive either real brain stimulation or a placebo while practicing reading on a computer. The researchers seek to discover if combining brain stimulation with reading practice is more effective than reading practice alone. Ideal candidates have been diagnosed with AMD or JMD, notice central vision loss, and have had stable vision over the past three months. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance future treatments for vision loss.
Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?
The trial protocol does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are receiving chronic and continuous injections for eye conditions, you may continue them if they have been ongoing for at least a year.
What prior data suggests that this brain stimulation technique is safe for people with macular degeneration?
Research has shown that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is usually easy for people to handle. This non-invasive technique has been tested for various health issues, including Alzheimer's disease and vision problems like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In these studies, most participants experienced only minor side effects, such as a slight tingling on the scalp, while serious side effects were rare.
One study focused on using tDCS for vision problems and found that participants could safely receive the treatment without major issues. This finding suggests that tDCS might be a safe option for people with macular degeneration. However, experiences can differ from person to person, so discussing potential risks with a healthcare provider is always advisable.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Unlike the standard treatments for age-related macular degeneration, which often involve injections or laser therapies to manage symptoms, active anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) offers a non-invasive approach. This technique uses mild electrical currents to potentially enhance visual perception, targeting brain areas involved in visual processing rather than directly affecting the eyes. Researchers are excited about tDCS because it could improve visual function with fewer side effects and offer a more comfortable and accessible treatment option, especially for those who find current invasive treatments challenging.
What evidence suggests that this brain stimulation technique is effective for improving reading in macular degeneration?
Research has shown that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) might improve vision by reducing visual crowding, where objects appear jumbled. This could benefit individuals with macular degeneration, a condition affecting eyesight. In this trial, participants will join different treatment arms. Some will receive active anodal tDCS combined with specific visual exercises, while others will receive sham anodal tDCS with the same exercises. Studies have found that using a-tDCS safely at a low level of 2 mA can be effective. Early results suggest that combining a-tDCS with specific visual exercises might further enhance vision. This treatment aims to increase activity in the brain area responsible for vision, helping patients see details more clearly and read better.678910
Who Is on the Research Team?
Ben Thompson, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Waterloo
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults with stable vision and diagnosed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or juvenile macular degeneration (JMD), who have a visual acuity between 6/9-6/96 in the better eye. Participants must be fluent in English or Chinese characters, depending on location, and not have had recent ocular surgery except under specific conditions.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Testing
Participants complete baseline testing and clinical evaluation to confirm eligibility criteria
Treatment
Participants undergo 6 sessions of perceptual training with either active or sham brain stimulation
Post-test
Post-test outcome measures are collected without brain stimulation
Follow-up
30 days after the final training session, participants perform outcome measures to determine long-term benefits
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Active anodal tDCS
- Sham anodal tDCS
Trial Overview
The study tests if brain stimulation called anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS), combined with perceptual learning, can improve reading ability on a computer screen for those with AMD or JMD. Half of the participants will receive real stimulation while the other half get sham treatment to compare effectiveness.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Participants in this arm will be exposed to active stimulation for the first 25 minutes of a roughly hour - long perceptual training procedure in which participants must verbally read sentences presented at various speeds and sizes.
Participants in this arm will be exposed to sham stimulation for the first 25 minutes of a roughly hour - long perceptual training procedure in which participants must verbally read sentences presented at various speeds and sizes.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Waterloo
Lead Sponsor
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Collaborator
Citations
Improving Vision in Adults With Macular Degeneration
The purpose of this study is to test whether a kind of brain stimulation called anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) can ...
Visual cortex anodal transcranial direct current stimulation ...
Visual cortex anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) has been shown to reduce crowding in normal peripheral vision and may improve the reading ...
Improving Vision in Adults With Macular Degeneration
The purpose of this study is to test whether a kind of brain stimulation called anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) can ...
Efficacy of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and ...
Results: Fourteen studies were considered for tDCS, and the current literature supports efficacy and safety at an amperage of 2 mA, with ...
Improving Vision in Adults With Macular Degeneration
The aim of the study is to examine the potential of brain stimulation as an effective treatment for macular degeneration that may be used in ...
Effectiveness and Safety of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for ...
When the condition involves macula vision, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or axons that transmit visual information from this central area of ...
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clinicaltrials.gov
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06924021?term=AREA%5BBasicSearch%5D(AREA%5BBasicSearch%5D(AREA%5BBasicSearch%5D(retinal%20degeneration)))&rank=8Age-Related Macular Degeneration Benchmark Imaging ...
While there are no approved therapies for early disease, active research is underway. However, advancing therapeutic trials for AMD prevention remains ...
Safety and feasibility of optimized transcranial direct current ...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly (1). It is characterized by progressive memory loss, along with ...
SA109 Quality Assessment Tools for Single-Arm Studies
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ANTI-VEGF DRUGS FOR. NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION. THERAPY: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS. Klabukova D,1 Krysanova ...
Non-invasive brain stimulation and vision rehabilitation
... conditions such as amblyopia, post-stroke hemianopia, and central vision loss associated with age- related macular degeneration.
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