What this study is
This is a Stage I randomized, sham-controlled trial on the effects of multimodal musical stimulation on working memory in aging. Neurologically healthy older and younger adults will be tested on working memory and electroencephalography in the first randomized controlled trial of music as a form of brain stimulation, with multimodal musical stimulation and control stimulation conditions. Results will test the causal role of oscillatory mechanisms of the brain on cognition, and will lay the groundwork to the first musical, neurophysiologically targeted, brain-stimulation device for reversing cognitive decline in aging.
What's being tested
- Gamma
Intervention · DEVICE
For the OAg group, the visual component of multimodal stimulation will have the same properties as for the other group, except it will also be additionally amplitude-modulated in the gamma-band (30-60 Hz) range, resulting in a detectable flicker over-and-above the beat-level modulation.
- Synchrony
Intervention · DEVICE
For the OA group, the lights will be tuned to delta-band frequencies (1-4 Hz) in the music, which corresponds to the beat-level frequency in most music. Thus, the lights automatically adapt to the rhythm of the music, pulsing on the beat and changing color on strong beats.
Study details
- Sponsor
- Northeastern University
- Conditions
- Aging
- Enrolling
- 100 people
- Starts
- 2022-12-11
- Est. completion
- 2027-12-31
- Design
- Single-blind, randomized, parallel groups
- Record
- View on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
Who can join
Age 18 Years – 95 YearsSex ALLHealthy volunteers AcceptedYou may qualify if
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision
- No more than mild hearing loss
- No recent history of neurological or psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders or use of medications that may affect cognition or responsiveness to music.
You can't join if
- Moderate or severe hearing loss (40+ dB)
- Visual impairment (including color blindness) that cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts
- Recently changed dosage of cholinesterase inhibitors or psychotropic medication
- Recent history of psychotic or schizophrenic episodes
- Major neurologic diagnosis or other condition that might impair cognition or confound assessments (dementia, ADRD; Parkinson's disease, stroke, brain injury, epilepsy, or recent cardiovascular or neurovascular event)
- Recent history of serious physical trauma or diagnosis of serious chronic health condition requiring medical treatment and monitoring .
Sign in and we'll check these against your records.Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Study locations (1)
1 openNortheastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Corinna Parrish · Contact781-474-3141c.parrish@northeastern.edu
- Psyche Loui, PhD · Principal investigator
Recruiting
Study team
Sponsor
Northeastern University
Study ID NortheasternMINDLabMultimodal
Principal investigator
Psyche Loui, PhD
Northeastern University
Frequently asked questions
The sponsor hasn't published answers to common questions for this trial.