Evidence mapPaperPMID 41414714Full record

Trial reportCNS neuroscience & therapeutics2025

Multi-Site Theta-tACS Improves Memory and Language Performance and Associated Local and Remote Functional Connectivity in Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Zhiwei Guo, Yi Jiang, Jiayuan He, Ning Jiang

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhiwei GuoNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.ORCID 0000-0003-2782-5005
Yi JiangNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Jiayuan HeNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Ning JiangNational Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.ORCID 0000-0003-1579-3114

Funding

Bureau of Science & Technology Nanchong City 22SXQT0345China National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics Z2023YY001Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities YJ202373National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Z2024YY002Sichuan Medical and Health Care Promotion Institute Scientific Research Project KY2024SJ0055
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWhile multi-site noninvasive brain stimulation demonstrates enhanced cognitive benefits in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the efficacy of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in this paradigm remains unestablished. The study aims were to investigate the therapeutic effects of multi-site tACS on MCI patients and its underlying neural mechanism.

methodsA parallel, sham-controlled trial was conducted with 60 MCI participants assigned to multi-site tACS (prefrontal gyrus and precuneus), single-site tACS (precuneus), or sham groups. All participants underwent 20 days of 7 Hz tACS concurrent with working memory training. Cognitive assessments and fMRI examinations were performed pre- and post- intervention. Local and remote functional connectivity changes were evaluated using regional homogeneity (Reho) and resting-state network (RSN) analyses, respectively.

resultsMulti-site tACS demonstrated superior cognitive improvements, particularly in verbal fluency (p = 0.006) and recognition memory (p = 0.025), compared to sham stimulation. Significant ReHo changes were observed in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) exclusively in the multi-site group (p < 0.05). Additionally, multi-site tACS induced broader functional connectivity alterations in the default mode network (DMN), executive control network (ECN), and left frontoparietal network (FPN). Correlations were found between the Reho changes in SFG and STG and the score changes of immediate memory (r = 0.367, p = 0.039) and language naming (r = 0.371, p = 0.037), respectively. Functional connectivity changes in the right inferior parietal lobe were also significantly correlated with the score changes of language naming (r = -0.374, p = 0.035). Moreover, more functional connectivity changes between the prefrontal gyrus stimulation site and the salience network and DMN were also detected in the multi-site group relative to the single-site group.

conclusionsMulti-site tACS is more effective than single-site tACS in enhancing cognitive functions and modulating cognition-related brain networks in MCI patients. These superior neuromodulatory effects of multi-site tACS may be attributed to its capacity to modulate functional networks across the prefrontal gyrus more extensively.

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionLanguageMemoryTheta RhythmTranscranial Direct Current StimulationAgedBrainFemaleHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedNerve Netfunctional connectivitymild cognitive impairmentregional homogeneitytranscranial alternating current stimulationworking memory training

Identifiers

PMID41414714
PMCPMC12715273

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.