NCT06966128

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation in Multiple Sclerosis

The Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Cerebral Blood Flow in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

First the investigators will examine if the blood flow in the brain is different in patients with Multiple Sclerosis compared to healthy volunteers. HOW? \- The blood flow of the subjects is imaged by use of a special MRI-technique. Secondly, the investigators will examine if the blood flow can determine disease progression. HOW? - Multiple Sclerosis patients are asked for a follow-up visit after two years. The main goal is to understand the effect of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) on the cerebral blood flow. * Does tDCS result in a different blood flow, in which brain regions? * Is there a difference between healthy volunteers and Multiple Sclerosis patients? HOW? \- Participants get two session of tDCS. Before, during and after stimulation MRI scans are performed.

Detailed description

Comparison of CBF between healthy volunteers and MS patients: \- Arterial spin labelling (ASL) is used to investigate cerebral blood flow in patients with MS and healthy volunteers. The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cerebral blood flow: * ASL scans are performed before-, during-, and after tDCS * Each subject will receive active and sham tDCS (seperated by at least two days) (cross-over design). Follow-up visit: * After two years, patients with MS are re-invited. * This visit will include a new neuropsychological evaluation, blood sampling and additional brain scans.

Conditions

• Multiple Sclerosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	transcranial Direct Current Stimulation	Stimulation intensity: Variable (between 1 mA and 2 mA), Electrode placement: Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, Duration: 10 minutes

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-01
• Primary completion: 2029-01-01
• Completion: 2029-01-01
• First posted: 2025-05-11
• Last updated: 2025-05-29

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Belgium

Regulatory

• FDA-regulated device study