Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation and Cognitive Training Enhanced Performance and Theta Activity in Adults With Cognitive Impairment

• Autores: Susana Cid Fernández, Ana Nieto Vieites, Arturo X. Pereiro Rozas, Fernando Díaz Fernández
• Localización: Psicothema, ISSN-e 1886-144X, ISSN 0214-9915, Vol. 37, Nº. 2, 2025, págs. 1-11
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.70478/psicothema.2025.37.11
• Títulos paralelos:
  • La Estimulación Eléctrica Transcraneal por Corriente Alterna y el Entrenamiento Cognitivo Mejoran la Ejecución y Aumentan la Actividad Theta en Adultos con Deterioro Cognitivo
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Antecedentes: El deterioro cognitivo relacionado con la edad está aumentando debido a una mayor esperanza de vida, lo que requiere nuevos tratamientos, ya que los medicamentos actuales son ineficaces y costosos. La estimulación transcraneal por corriente alterna en frecuencia theta (theta-tACS) ha mostrado potencial para mejorar la función cognitiva tanto en adultos jóvenes como mayores, pero su efectividad en personas con deterioro cognitivo no está bien estudiada. Método: Este estudio incluyó a 27 participantes con deterioro cognitivo subjetivo (DCS), deterioro cognitivo leve (DCL) y demencia, quienes se sometieron a múltiples sesiones que combinaron entrenamiento cognitivo computarizado con theta-tACS para evaluar su eficacia. Fueron asignados aleatoriamente a un grupo de tACS real o un grupo de tACS placebo. Antes y después del tratamiento, completaron tareas cognitivas y se recogieron datos comportamentales y de EEG. Resultados: Solo el grupo de tACS real mejoró en la tarea oddball y presentó un aumento en la amplitud del EEG en el rango theta. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos sugieren que theta-tACS puede mejorar el rendimiento cognitivo en personas con deterioro cognitivo, a nivel conductual y psicofisiológico, apoyando su potencial para aliviar el deterioro cognitivo en poblaciones mayores.

  • English

    Background: Age-related cognitive decline is rising due to longer life expectancy, necessitating new treatments as current drugs are ineffective and costly. Transcranial alternating current stimulation at the theta frequency (theta-tACS) has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function in both young and elderly adults, but its effectiveness in those with cognitive decline is not well-studied. Method: This study involved 27 participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia, who underwent multiple sessions combining computerized cognitive training with theta-tACS to assess its efficacy. Participants were randomly assigned to either a real-tACS or sham-tACS group. Before and after treatment, they completed several cognitive tasks, and their behavioral and EEG data were collected. Results: Only the real-tACS group improved in the oddball task and exhibited increased event-related EEG amplitude in the theta range. Conclusions: These findings suggest that theta-tACS can improve cognitive performance in individuals with cognitive decline at both behavioral and psychophysiological levels, supporting its potential for alleviating cognitive decline in elderly populations.

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