Exercise as a Primer for Brain Stimulation in Vascular Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (VCIND) (NCT05079464)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
People with vascular conditions are at risk of having memory problems, and these memory problems increase the risk for further cognitive decline. Brain stimulation has been used to improve mood and memory. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is believed to work best on brain cells that are active or "primed" before stimulation. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of exercise and tDCS on memory performance in patients who have completed cardiac rehabilitation and are at risk of cognitive decline.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (8 items).
Location: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre — Toronto, Ontario
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- History of stroke
- Change in psychotropics within the last 4 weeks
- Current benzodiazepine use due
- Metal implants that would preclude safe use of tDCS or neuroimaging
- Significant neurological or psychiatric conditions (current major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
- MoCA \<18 and/or clinical diagnosis of dementia
- Any medical contraindications to exercise
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre — Toronto, Ontario
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.