FTLDFTLD_rTMSNCT07316413
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
A study testing Theta burst stimulation in people with FTLD and FTD, run by Università degli Studi di Brescia at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility, clinical and biological efficacy, and predictors of efficacy of an intervention consisting of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) or in asymptomatic persons at risk of FTLD (i.e., persons… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- What is being tested?
- Theta burst stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 13 Feb 2025to 1 Feb 2029
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- diagnosis of FTLD (bvFTD, avPPA, svPPA, CBS, or PSP)
- global CDR plus NACC FTLD ≤ 1
Who cannot join
- presence of cerebrovascular disease, hydrocephalus, intracranial masses identified by MRI, history of head trauma, serious medical conditions unrelated to FTLD, history of epilepsy, and presence of electronic (e.g., pacemaker) or metallic implants in the head.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Italy1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni Di Dio - Fatebenefratelli Brescia
Brescia, Italy, 25125
Barbara Borroni, MD, +39 03035358, bborroni@fatebenefratelli.eu
Monica Almici, MS, +39 03035360, sct.irccs@fatebenefratelli.eu
About this study
The aim of the study is to evaluate the safety, feasibility, clinical and biological efficacy, and predictors of efficacy of an intervention consisting of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) or in asymptomatic persons at risk of FTLD (i.e., persons familiar with FTLD patients).
rTMS is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, and has demonstrated the ability to modulate neuronal activity by applying high-frequency magnetic fields to the surface of the skull. rTMS offers a potentially effective means to influence neural networks involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, with benefits that could extend beyond symptomatic relief. Its safety has been widely documented in a variety of clinical conditions, making it an ideal candidate for application in neurodegenerative diseases.
Read more
In the present study, participants will undergo the following procedures: (i) clinical and neuropsychological assessment, (ii) TMS, and (iii) blood sampling. The occurrence of adverse events will be monitored throughout the duration of the study.
The study is structured in two phases. In the first phase, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled, participants will be randomised into two groups: group 1, participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks; and group 2, placebo rTMS for 2 weeks. In the second, open-label phase, after 10 weeks, both group 1 and group 2 participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks. Each participant will receive a total of 4 weeks of intervention (4 weeks of real stimulation in group 1, or 2 weeks of real stimulation and 2 weeks of placebo stimulation in group 2), with 5 sessions per week (Monday to Friday) lasting approximately 30 minutes each.
Visits will take place at the beginning of the study (T00) and after 2 weeks (T02, end of the first phase), 12 weeks (T12, beginning of the second phase), 14 weeks (T14, end of the second phase), 24 weeks (T24, follow-up). During each visit, participants underwent the following procedures: (i) clinical and neuropsychological assessment, (ii) blood sampling, and (iii) TMS. Specific biomarker analyses will be performed on the blood samples to study the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease and the effect of the experimental intervention.
- Being tested
- Theta burst stimulation, Sham Theta burst stimulation
- Medical subject headings
- Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Theta burst stimulationDevice
10 sessions (5 days/week for 2 weeks) of 20 trains of 10 bursts, each containing 3 pulses at 50 Hz, applied at a frequency of 5 Hz (total pulses: 600, total duration: approx. 3 minutes); this protocol will be repeated twice within each single session.
Sham Theta burst stimulationDevice
10 sessions (5 days/week for 2 weeks) of sham theta burst stimulation.The device providing Theta Burst Stimulation can be placed in the same position and turned on, creating a similar experience for the participant, without providing any neural stimulation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Real iTBS - Real iTBS | Experimental | 10 sessions of theta burst stimulation (5 days/week for 2 weeks) followed by an open-label 10 sessions of theta burst stimulation (5 days/week for 2 weeks) Receives: Device: Theta burst stimulation |
| Sham iTBS - Real iTBS | Sham comparator | 10 sessions of sham stimulation (5 days/week for 2 weeks) followed by an open-label 10 sessions of theta burst stimulation (5 days/week for 2 weeks) Receives: Device: Theta burst stimulation; Device: Sham Theta burst stimulation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Safety of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol
Safety will be assessed in terms of the frequency and severity of any adverse events. Safety will be monitored throughout the duration of the study.
Measured: Through study completion, at week 24
Feasibility of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Protocol
Feasibility will be assessed according to the study drop-out rate. Feasibility will be monitored throughout the duration of the study.
Measured: Through study completion, at week 24
Effectiveness in restoring neurotransmission
Neurotransmission will be assessed by measuring changes in glutamatergic (intracortical facilitation, ICF) and GABAergic (short-interval intracortical inhibition, SICI) neurotransmission assessed indirectly through TMS.
Measured: Through study completion, at week 24
Secondary outcomes (3)
Clinical effectiveness
Clinical effectiveness will be assessed by measuring changes in clinical and cognitive measures, in behavioural and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and in caregiver burden. Specifically, the following instruments will be used: Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity (CGI-S) and Improvement (CGI-I) and FBI.
Measured: Change from baseline to week 2, 12, 14, 24
Biological efficacy
Biological efficacy will be assessed via blood sampling by measuring changes in neurodegeneration biomarkers: neurofilament light (NfL, measured in pg/mL); astrogliosis: Serum Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP, measured in pg/mL).
Measured: Change from baseline to week 2, 12, 14, 24
Predictors of efficacy
We will assess whether demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of education), genetic traits (comparing genetic and sporadic forms of FTD), clinical phenotype (bvFTD, avPPA, svPPA, CBS, or PSP), disease severity, markers of cognitive reserve, and plasma biomarker profile are correlated with better treatment response.
Measured: Change from baseline to week 2, 12, 14, 24
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jan 2026
- Study start13 Feb 2025
- Primary completion1 Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Feb 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (18)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for FTLDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- The study is structured in two phases. In the first phase, double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled, participants will be randomised into two groups: group 1, participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks; and group 2, placebo rTMS for 2 weeks. In the second, open-label phase, after 10 weeks, both group 1 and group 2 participants will receive real rTMS for 2 weeks. Each participant will receive a total of 4 weeks of intervention (4 weeks of real stimulation in group 1, or 2 weeks of real stimulation and 2 weeks of placebo stimulation in group 2), with 5 sessions per week (Monday to Friday) lasting approximately 30 minutes each.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Università degli Studi di Brescia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Barbara Borroni, Università degli Studi di Brescia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07316413
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- FTLD_rTMS
- Acronym
- FTLD_rTMS
- Status last verified
- Apr 2025
- First submitted
- 1 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Antczak J, Kowalska K, Klimkowicz-Mrowiec A, Wach B, Kasprzyk K, Banach M, Rzeznicka-Brzegowy K, Kubica J, Slowik A. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for the treatment of cognitive impairment in frontotemporal dementia: an open-label pilot study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018 Mar 13;14:749-755. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S153213. eCollection 2018.
PubMed 29559782Dong K, Zhu X, Xiao W, Gan C, Luo Y, Jiang M, Liu H, Chen X. Comparative efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation on different targets in Parkinson's disease: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Jan 4;14:1073310. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1073310. eCollection 2022.
PubMed 36688161Wei Z, Fu J, Liang H, Liu M, Ye X, Zhong P. The therapeutic efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in managing Alzheimer's disease: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Sep 6;14:980998. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.980998. eCollection 2022.
PubMed 36147701Siebner HR, Funke K, Aberra AS, Antal A, Bestmann S, Chen R, Classen J, Davare M, Di Lazzaro V, Fox PT, Hallett M, Karabanov AN, Kesselheim J, Beck MM, Koch G, Liebetanz D, Meunier S, Miniussi C, Paulus W, Peterchev AV, Popa T, Ridding MC, Thielscher A, Ziemann U, Rothwell JC, Ugawa Y. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain: What is stimulated? - A consensus and critical position paper. Clin Neurophysiol. 2022 Aug;140:59-97. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.04.022. Epub 2022 May 18.
PubMed 35738037Menardi A, Rossi S, Koch G, Hampel H, Vergallo A, Nitsche MA, Stern Y, Borroni B, Cappa SF, Cotelli M, Ruffini G, El-Fakhri G, Rossini PM, Dickerson B, Antal A, Babiloni C, Lefaucheur JP, Dubois B, Deco G, Ziemann U, Pascual-Leone A, Santarnecchi E. Toward noninvasive brain stimulation 2.0 in Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev. 2022 Mar;75:101555. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101555. Epub 2021 Dec 30.
PubMed 34973457Benussi A, Alberici A, Samra K, Russell LL, Greaves CV, Bocchetta M, Ducharme S, Finger E, Fumagalli G, Galimberti D, Jiskoot LC, Le Ber I, Masellis M, Nacmias B, Rowe JB, Sanchez-Valle R, Seelaar H, Synofzik M; GENFI Consortium; Rohrer JD, Borroni B. Conceptual framework for the definition of preclinical and prodromal frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimers Dement. 2022 Jul;18(7):1408-1423. doi: 10.1002/alz.12485. Epub 2021 Dec 7.
PubMed 34874596Hoglinger GU, Respondek G, Stamelou M, Kurz C, Josephs KA, Lang AE, Mollenhauer B, Muller U, Nilsson C, Whitwell JL, Arzberger T, Englund E, Gelpi E, Giese A, Irwin DJ, Meissner WG, Pantelyat A, Rajput A, van Swieten JC, Troakes C, Antonini A, Bhatia KP, Bordelon Y, Compta Y, Corvol JC, Colosimo C, Dickson DW, Dodel R, Ferguson L, Grossman M, Kassubek J, Krismer F, Levin J, Lorenzl S, Morris HR, Nestor P, Oertel WH, Poewe W, Rabinovici G, Rowe JB, Schellenberg GD, Seppi K, van Eimeren T, Wenning GK, Boxer AL, Golbe LI, Litvan I; Movement Disorder Society-endorsed PSP Study Group. Clinical diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy: The movement disorder society criteria. Mov Disord. 2017 Jun;32(6):853-864. doi: 10.1002/mds.26987. Epub 2017 May 3.
PubMed 28467028Armstrong MJ, Litvan I, Lang AE, Bak TH, Bhatia KP, Borroni B, Boxer AL, Dickson DW, Grossman M, Hallett M, Josephs KA, Kertesz A, Lee SE, Miller BL, Reich SG, Riley DE, Tolosa E, Troster AI, Vidailhet M, Weiner WJ. Criteria for the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. Neurology. 2013 Jan 29;80(5):496-503. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31827f0fd1.
PubMed 23359374Gorno-Tempini ML, Hillis AE, Weintraub S, Kertesz A, Mendez M, Cappa SF, Ogar JM, Rohrer JD, Black S, Boeve BF, Manes F, Dronkers NF, Vandenberghe R, Rascovsky K, Patterson K, Miller BL, Knopman DS, Hodges JR, Mesulam MM, Grossman M. Classification of primary progressive aphasia and its variants. Neurology. 2011 Mar 15;76(11):1006-14. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e31821103e6. Epub 2011 Feb 16.
PubMed 21325651Rascovsky K, Hodges JR, Knopman D, Mendez MF, Kramer JH, Neuhaus J, van Swieten JC, Seelaar H, Dopper EG, Onyike CU, Hillis AE, Josephs KA, Boeve BF, Kertesz A, Seeley WW, Rankin KP, Johnson JK, Gorno-Tempini ML, Rosen H, Prioleau-Latham CE, Lee A, Kipps CM, Lillo P, Piguet O, Rohrer JD, Rossor MN, Warren JD, Fox NC, Galasko D, Salmon DP, Black SE, Mesulam M, Weintraub S, Dickerson BC, Diehl-Schmid J, Pasquier F, Deramecourt V, Lebert F, Pijnenburg Y, Chow TW, Manes F, Grafman J, Cappa SF, Freedman M, Grossman M, Miller BL. Sensitivity of revised diagnostic criteria for the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia. Brain. 2011 Sep;134(Pt 9):2456-77. doi: 10.1093/brain/awr179. Epub 2011 Aug 2.
PubMed 21810890Grossman M, Seeley WW, Boxer AL, Hillis AE, Knopman DS, Ljubenov PA, Miller B, Piguet O, Rademakers R, Whitwell JL, Zetterberg H, van Swieten JC. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2023 Aug 10;9(1):40. doi: 10.1038/s41572-023-00447-0.
PubMed 37563165Stokes MG, Chambers CD, Gould IC, Henderson TR, Janko NE, Allen NB, Mattingley JB. Simple metric for scaling motor threshold based on scalp-cortex distance: application to studies using transcranial magnetic stimulation. J Neurophysiol. 2005 Dec;94(6):4520-7. doi: 10.1152/jn.00067.2005. Epub 2005 Aug 31.
PubMed 16135552Taylor JJ, Newberger NG, Stern AP, Phillips A, Feifel D, Betensky RA, Press DZ. Seizure risk with repetitive TMS: Survey results from over a half-million treatment sessions. Brain Stimul. 2021 Jul-Aug;14(4):965-973. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2021.05.012. Epub 2021 Jun 13.
PubMed 34133991Rossi S, Antal A, Bestmann S, Bikson M, Brewer C, Brockmoller J, Carpenter LL, Cincotta M, Chen R, Daskalakis JD, Di Lazzaro V, Fox MD, George MS, Gilbert D, Kimiskidis VK, Koch G, Ilmoniemi RJ, Lefaucheur JP, Leocani L, Lisanby SH, Miniussi C, Padberg F, Pascual-Leone A, Paulus W, Peterchev AV, Quartarone A, Rotenberg A, Rothwell J, Rossini PM, Santarnecchi E, Shafi MM, Siebner HR, Ugawa Y, Wassermann EM, Zangen A, Ziemann U, Hallett M; basis of this article began with a Consensus Statement from the IFCN Workshop on "Present, Future of TMS: Safety, Ethical Guidelines", Siena, October 17-20, 2018, updating through April 2020. Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. Clin Neurophysiol. 2021 Jan;132(1):269-306. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.10.003. Epub 2020 Oct 24.
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