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Enhancing Attention in Elderly Using a Brain-Computer-Interface

University of Texas at Austin · NCT07441122

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 18–90 · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Not applicable
Target enrollment
100
US sites recruiting
2
Study start
July 1, 2026
Record last updated
July 27, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to maintain cognitive performance despite age-related changes or neuropathology. Enhancing cognitive reserve is thought to delay cognitive decline and improve functional outcomes in aging and neurodegenerative conditions. Attention and memory-related neural processes are considered key contributors to cognitive reserve, yet it remains unclear whether these neural markers can be deliberately strengthened through targeted training and non-invasive interventions.

The goal of this clinical study is to investigate whether mindfulness-based meditation and non-invasive brain stimulation can enhance neural markers of attention and memory that serve as proxies for cognitive reserve in cognitively healthy adults and older adults diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Investigators hypothesize that strengthening these neural markers will lead to measurable improvements in cognitive reserve-related functions in both healthy aging and MCI populations.

This study further hypothesizes that neural markers of attention can be selectively enhanced using an electroencephalography (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) combined with non-invasive interventions such as mindfulness-based relaxation or neuromodulation. During the study, participants will perform a computerized memory task while their EEG signals are recorded in real time. A BCI will analyze these signals to decode the presence or absence of the P300 event-related potential, a well-established neural marker of attentional control and cognitive resource allocation. Real-time feedback and intervention will be used to modulate these neural processes with the goal of promoting adaptive changes in attention-related brain activity.

By integrating EEG-based decoding, behavioral training, and non-invasive interventions, this study aims to determine whether targeted modulation of attention-related neural activity can support cognitive reserve in aging and mild cognitive impairment.

Being studied: transcranial electrical stimulation; Mindfulness Meditation

Conditions: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Younger adults

  • Good general health.
  • Normal or corrected vision.
  • no history of neurological/psychiatric disease
  • ability to read and understand English
  • ability to understand information and ability to give a free and informed consent

Older adults

  • Normal or corrected vision.
  • Self-reports no current diagnosis of dementia.
  • Ability to provide written/electronic, informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria

Younger Adults

  • Neurological or psychiatric diseases that could be contraindicated for tACS (e.g., personal history of epilepsy/seizure brain damage, history of fainting, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, current substance use disorder, etc.).
  • Medications that elevate seizure threshold (e.g., stimulant medication, high dose bupropion).
  • Factors hindering EEG acquisition and tACS delivery (e.g., skin infection, wounds, dermatitis, inability to access the scalp of the participant).

Older Adults

  • Neurological or psychiatric diseases that could be contraindicated for tACS (e.g., personal history of epilepsy/seizure brain damage, pacemakers, history of fainting, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, current substance use disorder, etc.).
  • Medications that elevate seizure threshold (e.g., stimulant medication, high dose bupropion).
  • Factors hindering EEG acquisition and tACS delivery (e.g., skin infection, wounds, dermatitis, inability to access the scalp of the participant).
  • Diagnosis of dementia.
  • Do not have the capacity to provide informed consent.

Recruiting US locations

  • The University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX 78712

    Site contact: Jose del R. Millan, PhD · 512-232-8111 · jose.millan@austin.utexas.edu

  • Sun City

    Georgetown, TX 78633

    Site contact: Khushi Thorat · 512-495-5521 · BrainFit@austin.utexas.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Jose del R. Millan, PhD · 512-232-8111 · jose.millan@austin.utexas.edu
  • Khushi Thorat · 512-495-5521 · BrainFit@austin.utexas.edu
All neurology studies in Texas →
Enhancing Attention in Elderly Using a Brain-Computer-Interface (NCT07441122) | Bored Studies