tACS for Amyloid-β Reduction in Alzheimer's Disease

Inclusion Criteria

• Clinical Diagnosis of mild AD defined by: Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) = 0.5-1, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) >/= 20, Demonstration or history of memory impairments
• Amyloid positive PET imaging
• At least 45 years old
• On a stable dose of medications for memory loss including cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. donepezil, rivastigmine or memantine) as defined as 6 consecutive weeks of treatment at an unchanging dose
• Intelligence Quotient (IQ) > 85 as determined by the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) and no history of intellectual disability

Exclusion Criteria

• Current history of poorly controlled migraines including chronic medication for migraine prevention
• Current or past history of any neurological disorder other than dementia, such as epilepsy, stroke, progressive neurologic disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis) or intracranial brain lesions; and history of previous neurosurgery or head trauma that resulted in residual neurologic impairment.
• Past or current history of major depression, bipolar disorder or psychotic disorders, or any other major psychiatric condition.
• Contraindication for undergoing MRI or receiving Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or tACS,
• History of fainting spells of unknown or undetermined etiology that might constitute seizures.
• History of seizures, diagnosis of epilepsy, history of abnormal (epileptiform) EEG or immediate (1st degree relative) family history of epilepsy; with the exception of a single seizure of benign etiology (e.g. febrile seizure) in the judgment of the investigator.
• Chronic (particularly) uncontrolled medical conditions that may cause a medical emergency in case of a provoked seizure (cardiac malformation, cardiac dysrhythmia, asthma, etc.).
• Metal implants (excluding dental fillings) or devices such as pacemaker, medication pump, nerve stimulator, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) unit, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, cochlear implant, unless cleared by the study MD.
• Substance abuse or dependence within the past six months.
• Medications will be reviewed by the responsible MD and a decision about inclusion will be made based on the following: The patient's past medical history, drug dose, history of recent medication changes or duration of treatment, and combination of Central Nervous System (CNS) active drugs.
• All female participants that are pre-menopausal will be required to have a pregnancy test; any participant who is pregnant will not be enrolled in the study.
• BMI > 40 kg/m2. We will limit the BMI to <40 kg/m2 because of weight limits of the scanner bed and width limits of the MRI.
• Subjects who, in the investigator's opinion, might not be suitable for the study
• A hair style or head dress that prevents electrode contact with the scalp or would interfere with the stimulation (for example: thick braids, hair weave, afro, wig)