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NCT01958437 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · NA
Enhancing Spatial Navigation Using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation
A NA study, sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development.
- Completed
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 44
- Enrollment target
NCT01958437: Completed NA study, sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development.
NCT01958437 is a NA study that has completed, run by VA Office of Research and Development. The registered enrollment target is 44 participants, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (97% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.
The verdict
NCT01958437, a NA study, has completed, sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development.
- COMPLETED
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 44 participants
- Enrollment target
Study Summary
Remembering how to travel from one location to another is critical in everyday life, yet this vital ability declines with normal aging and can be further affected by conditions that disproportionately affect the elderly, such as vision loss or progressive dementia. Human and animal research has shown that two distinct memory systems interact during navigation. The first, referred to as allocentric navigation, is very flexible and uses spatial knowledge of key features or landmarks to develop and use a mental map of the environment. This approach involves brain regions that are critical for new learning and memory but that decline with age. The second, referred to as egocentric navigation, is inflexible and relies on "habit" memories that link specific features with specific directions. This approach relies on brain regions that are critical for "automatic" responses and that are relatively unaffected by age. The main problem is that allocentric navigation declines with age and is accompanied increased dependence on egocentric navigation. This change increases the risk of becoming disoriented or "lost" when traveling in unfamiliar areas or even when traveling new routes in familiar areas. Therefore, the main goal of this project is to examine whether non-invasive brain stimulation, specifically transcranial direct current stimulation, can improve allocentric navigation in healthy older adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment. Participants will complete two functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions while learning new environments. Before one of these sessions, participants will receive active brain stimulation over the parietal cortex. Before the other session, participants will receive sham brain stimulation over the parietal cortex. The effects of this stimulation will be evaluated using both an allocentric and an egocentric memory test. Physiologic effects will be evaluated using both task-based and resting-state MRI.
Primary Outcome
1 active tDCS; 1 sham tDCS for each measure. Participants touched a screen (using a ELO 19" touchscreen monitor) to document the location of the landmark. The distance between the actual vs. selected location served as the dependent measure.
Interventions
- DEVICE Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 44 participants |
| Start Date | 2013-10-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2017-03-24 |
| Phase | NA |
What the finished NCT01958437 record still lists
NCT01958437 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 44 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (97% lower).
The record links to 0 conditions, and to 1 intervention - of which Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is the first listed.
NCT01958437 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT01958437 about?
NCT01958437 is a clinical study titled "Enhancing Spatial Navigation Using Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation". Remembering how to travel from one location to another is critical in everyday life, yet this vital ability declines with normal aging and can be further affected by conditions that disproportionately affect the elderly, such as vision loss or progressive dementia. Human and animal research has show...
What is the current status of trial NCT01958437?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 44 participants. The study started on 2013-10-01. Estimated completion is 2017-03-24.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT01958437?
The interventions under investigation include: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) (DEVICE).
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT01958437?
This trial is sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development, which has 1,668 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How this trial's enrollment target compares
Where NCT01958437's enrollment target sits among peer trials
44 1423rd of 2000 higher than 566 of 2,000 other NA trials
participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other NA trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08
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