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A pilot randomized controlled double-blind trial of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a study protocol
Maria I. Lapid, Sandeep R. Pagali, Michael R. Basso, Paul E. Croarkin, Jennifer R. Geske, John Huston, Karimul Islam, Boney Joseph et al.. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2025-04-01
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
This innovative study aims to test the feasibility of iTBS as a cognitive enhancement strategy in MCI. If our study is feasible, it could lead to a future larger trial to further test whether iTBS can modulate underlying neurobiology and offer a therapeutic avenue to remediate cognitive decline in MCI or ultimately delay progression to dementia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05327257. Registered 04 April 2022.
Key findings
- This innovative study aims to test the feasibility of iTBS as a cognitive enhancement strategy in MCI.
- If our study is feasible, it could lead to a future larger trial to further test whether iTBS can modulate underlying neurobiology and offer a therapeutic avenue to remediate cognitive decline in MCI or ultimately delay progression to dementia.
- TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05327257.
Why it matters
This is a study protocol testing whether intermittent theta burst stimulation is feasible as a cognitive enhancement strategy in mild cognitive impairment. If feasible, it could lead to a larger trial testing whether it can remediate cognitive decline or delay progression to dementia.
Study details
- Participants20
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design and effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Pilot and Feasibility Studies) |
| Journal's citation record | 0 / 4 | Pilot and Feasibility Studies: journal h-index 48 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 20 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 2 / 2 | Randomised and blinded or placebo-controlled (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 6 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.0 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 6 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Bradley F. Boeve: h-index 173 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | Mayo Clinic: institution h-index 1,606 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 0 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 1 institution(s) in 1 country — scores zero (affiliation lists can be incomplete) |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40170189) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1186/s40814-025-01625-5
- PubMed: 40170189
- Original source →
- Free full text: Pilot and Feasibility Studies →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Lapid, M. I., Pagali, S. R., Basso, M. R., Croarkin, P. E., Geske, J. R., Huston, J., et al. (2025). A pilot randomized controlled double-blind trial of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01625-5
Vancouver
Lapid MI, Pagali SR, Basso MR, Croarkin PE, Geske JR, Huston J, et al. A pilot randomized controlled double-blind trial of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a study protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 2025. doi:10.1186/s40814-025-01625-5. PMID: 40170189.
BibTeX
@article{lapid2025-40170189,
author = {Lapid, Maria I. and Pagali, Sandeep R. and Basso, Michael R. and Croarkin, Paul E. and Geske, Jennifer R. and Huston, John and Islam, Karimul and Joseph, Boney and others},
title = {{A pilot randomized controlled double-blind trial of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to improve memory in mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a study protocol}},
journal = {Pilot and Feasibility Studies},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1186/s40814-025-01625-5},
pmid = {40170189},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01625-5}
}
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.