Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Cognitive Improvement in Parkinson's Mild Cognitive Impairment (tDCS)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease (after
Alzheimer's disease) and affects approximately one million people in the United States. Mild
Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is very common even in early stages of PD. In addition to
cognitive impairment, patients with PD also suffer cognitive fatigue (defined as the general
sensation of difficulty in initiating cognitive activity) and cognitive fatigability (defined
as "deterioration in the performance of attention tasks over an extended period of time").
Cognitive impairment, cognitive fatigue, and cognitive fatigability affect quality of life in
patient with Parkinson's disease.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive and safe brain stimulation
technique that has been shown to be effective in improving cognitive function in subjects
with Parkinson's disease. During tDCS, low-voltage, low amplitude current is passed through a
pair of surface electrodes placed over the areas of brain of interest.

The specific aim of this study is to examine if atDCS to LDLPFC at 2 milliamps (mA) for 20
minutes daily for 5 days will improve cognitive function and reduce cognitive fatigue and
fatigability in PD patients with MCI. The study will examine if the effects may last for two
weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of PD with at least two of the four diagnostic criteria for PD
(tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability)

- Meets criteria for MCI (21 ≤ MOCA scores ≤ 26)

- Must be able to consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with dementia (MOCA < 21)

- PD treatment using deep brain stimulation (DBS)

- Diagnosis of psychosis

- Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

- Diagnosis of stroke

- Diagnosis of epilepsy

- Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

- Diagnosis of congestive heart failure

- Diagnosis of renal failure

- Participants not fluent in English