Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Post Treatment Lyme Disease
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) of Brain Fog in Patients With Post Treatment Lyme Disease
Columbia University
110 participants
Jul 14, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The primary purpose of this pilot study is to investigate a novel approach to the treatment of cognitive symptoms that persist despite prior antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease (Post treatment Lyme Disease or PTLD). Aim 1: The primary aim of this study is to assess whether the processing speed of individuals with PTLD can be enhanced by combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with computer based cognitive training games. To achieve this aim, over a 4-week period, all individuals with PTLD will participate in at home adaptive cognitive training combined with either active stimulation or sham stimulation. Aim 2: To determine if treatment benefit in processing speed is sustained, the study will compare the sham and active groups 8 weeks after completion of study treatment.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria14
- History of diagnosis of Lyme disease by a health care provider, meeting criteria for either definite or probable or possible LD
- Willingness to provide documentation of prior LD testing and/or related medical records
- Total prior antibiotic treatment for LD was at least 2 courses of antibiotic therapy
- Have cognitive symptoms attributed to Lyme disease that have persisted or returned despite antibiotic therapy
- Current cognitive symptoms interfere with function and/or cause distress
- Have evidence of slowed processing speed on a screening measure
- Participant is willing to be off of antibiotic treatment for tick-borne disease for at least 4 weeks prior to final determination of study eligibility and for the duration of the 12-week study.
- Participant expresses willingness to not start new medications that might affect treatment outcome during the trial (unless medically necessary), and willingness to inform study staff regarding any changes in medication
- Live in the US or Canada and comfortable speaking English
- Age 18-65
- Stable and continuous access to internet service
- Adequate home facilities (enough space, access to quiet and distraction free area)
- Able to commit to the 12-week study period (4 weeks of training sessions and an 8-week post treatment visit)
- Estimated intellectual ability >= 85
Exclusion Criteria22
- \- Medical Illness: Any of the following: a. Unstable non-Lyme-related chronic medical illness over the last 12 months (e.g., cancer, acute myocardial infarction, labile hypertension) b. Any severe skin disorder or skin sensitive area near stimulation locations (e.g. forehead)
- Neurologic: Any of the following:
- History of traumatic brain injury with persistent post-concussive symptoms
- History of seizure disorder or recent (<5 years) seizure history
- History of neurosurgery to the head
- Chronic headaches or migraines of moderate to severe intensity within the last month
- Post stroke deficits that may interfere with assessment
- Any progressive neurodegenerative disorder or other neurological disorders that may interfere with assessment at discretion of the investigator.
- Psychiatric: Any of the following:
- History of intellectual disability, or other developmental neurological condition associated with cognitive impairment
- Current primary psychiatric disorder that would interfere with ability to participate
- Current alcohol or other substance use disorder
- Current suicide risk as assessed by the C-SSRS (any level)
- History of suicidal behavior over the last year
- History of a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder, mania or bipolar disorder
- Depression rating of moderate or severe at screening
- Currently taking opiate-based medications, dissociative drugs (prescribed or illicit), or other medication considered likely to interfere with treatment outcome at the discretion of the investigator. The use of a stable dose of benzodiazepines, anticholinergic agents and non-narcotic pain medications is permitted. The use of an occasional dose of these medications is also permitted, but not within 48 hours of neurocognitive study assessments.
- Participants whose current daily medication regimen has not been stable for a minimum of 4 weeks prior to final determination of study eligibility
- Medical device implanted in the head (such as a Deep Brain Stimulator) or in the neck (such as a Vagus Nerve Stimulator), or metal implants in the head or neck
- Inadequate visual or motor skills needed for regular computer use or to operate study equipment, or inability to provide informed consent
- Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
- Lifestyle Considerations: Participants not willing to refrain from beginning, resuming or increasing non study cognitive training or cognitive enhancing supplements/medications or other therapies that might affect treatment outcome
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Interventions
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is delivered by a device that has a user-friendly interface and a large-button keypad, making it is easy to use at home. The device delivers a weak electrical current of 2.0 mA that is transmitted through two electrodes placed on the scalp to target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region of the brain. The electrodes are easily placed through a headset. The active stimulation session lasts 30 minutes. The inactive (sham) stimulation session will also last 30 minutes.
The cognitive training tasks are administered via a computer-based program BrainHQ (Posit Science). There are 20 sessions, each 30 minutes a day, conducted over approximately 4 weeks. The BrainHQ adaptive cognitive training tasks have been previously associated with improved processing speed in other populations.
Locations(2)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06915324