Imperial College London

Academic Institute

Clinical Sponsor is not required

Unknown

Yes

NIBDAPC_2025_0050

The aim of our research is to develop a new method for treating Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), which works by stimulating a part of the brain important for memory (called the hippocampus). This is done using a form of electrical stimulation called temporal interference (TI) stimulation, delivered by electrodes (small discs capable of delivering electricity) placed on the scalp. Normally, electricity delivered in this way can’t penetrate deep into the brain (where the hippocampus is located), but our new method of TI stimulation uses two sources of electricity which, when delivered together, overlap deep in the brain to stimulate the hippocampus effectively. Previous work has shown this approach to be safe in healthy younger adults (with no history of neurological or psychiatric illness) and those with Alzheimer’s Disease, but what we do not yet know is whether it works at improving memory. This study, a clinical trial of TI brain stimulation, is designed to detect any beneficial effects of the stimulation on memory in people with Alzheimer’s Disease. If a positive effect is found, this new method of brain stimulation may be a useful future treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive and irreversible disease of the brain and the most common cause of dementia. Problems with memory are often the first sign of the condition, and over time the ability to function independently is affected. This causes significant difficulty and distress for individuals suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as their families. Concerningly, the number of those with the condition is predicted to triple to 150 million globally by 2050. At present, Alzheimer’s Disease has no cure. Current treatment is limited to a few medications (e.g. donepezil, rivastigmine) which can provide some improvement in symptoms but do not alter the underlying disease process. The latest developed drugs show more promise, but are only able to slow down, not stop, the progression of the disease. New forms of treatment are, therefore, desperately needed. We believe that non-invasive brain stimulation of the part of the brain essential for memory is a promising new approach to treating Alzheimer’s Diesease. Since the stimulation requires the placement of electrodes (small discs) on the scalp, this may in practice be delivered through the use of a device that is both wearable and portable. The question as to whether stimulation will have a symptomatic effect only or alter the course of disease is currently an open one. If proven effective, brain stimulation may transform the way the disease is treated, and significantly relieve the global burden of dementia.

Public Health Research

27/10/2025

Not applicable

Not applicable

One-off

TRE