Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Delirium

The purpose of this study is to examine whether non-invasive brain stimulation can be used to improve cognitive deficits in patients with delirium.

Data from subject's EPIC medical record will be abstracted for use in research analysis - the following elements will be reviewed: Information regarding diagnosis, age, gender, ethnicity/race, medication they are receiving as well as their past medical history, and DOSS score. The study team member will also discuss patient's mental status with their treating clinician before approaching him/her. The treating clinician will be consulted and must agree that it is appropriate for the delirious patient to be approached for enrollment. Beforehand, a clinician on the research team (Dr. Gen Shinozaki) will evaluate the subjects ability to sign consent, and thus, whether they can be approached for enrollment. When subject is identified, consent team will approach to obtain consent (and assent when applicable), email address and research demographic information. If consented, subject undergo a short CAM-ICU assessment of delirium indication - the CAM-ICU is a delirium screening tool and is not done for screening individuals out of the study, a cognitive function evaluation (MoCA), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), and a longer delirium evaluation (DRS-R-98) conducted by a study team member. Next, study personnel will obtain buccal swab samples and will assist with saliva samples. Trained medical staff will perform the blood draw for the blood collection sample, approximately 5-10 mL of blood per sample will be collected. If consented, subject will be asked to wear non-invasive EEG device (with two standard, clinical leads) on their head at the time of initial evaluation and up to two times daily during their hospital stay. What subjects will be asked to do/what happens in the study (in sequential order) if they meet inclusion criteria and consent, they will be asked to wear non-invasive EEG device (with two standard, clinical leads) on their head with EEG monitor capability up to three times daily while they are in the hospital. One session of non-invasive brain stimulation will be administered. Study personnel will again obtain buccal swab samples and will assist with saliva samples. Trained research team members will perform the blood draw for the blood collection sample, approximately 5-10 mL of blood per sample will be collected.

Subjects will receive 5 days of 3x daily rTMS (intermittent theta burst stimulation) or tACS (transcranial alternating current stimulation) targeted over the cerebellum.

Subjects with delirium and matched-controls will be receive theta frequency stimulation of the cerebellum. We will target the cerebellar vermis.

Subjects with delirium and matched-controls will be receive sham stimulation of the cerebellum. We will target the cerebellar vermis.

Change between pre- and post-intervention DOS assessment (disease-specific symptom rating scale); The Delirium Observation Screening (DOS) Scale is a screen designed to allow faster, easier identification of delirium. The DOS is a 13-point screen for delirium (range 0-9). Higher values represent a worse outcome (scores greater than or equal to 3 are usually considered positive delirium screens).

Change between pre- and post-intervention DRS assessment (disease-specific symptom rating scale); The Delirium Rating-Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98) is an instrument which has provision for assessment of broad range of symptoms of delirium. The instrument has a total range of 0-20. The severity ratings range from 0 (no impairment) to 3 (severe impairment) and a severity score > 15 or a total score of > 18 is indicative of delirium; higher scores indicate higher severity of delirium.

Change between pre- and post-intervention CAM-ICU assessment; Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). CAM-ICU is a valid and reliable delirium assessment tool recommended by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in its 2013 Pain, Agitation, and Delirium (PAD) guidelines.

Inclusion Criteria: A clinical diagnosis consistent with enrollment (positive for delirium) Exclusion Criteria: History of recurrent seizures or epilepsy Any other neurological or psychiatric diagnosis outside the diagnosis for which the participant is enrolled. Active substance use disorder in the past 6 months other than tobacco use disorder. Pacemaker Coronary Stent Defibrillator Neurostimulation Claustrophobia Uncontrolled high blood pressure Atrial fibrillation Significant heart disease Hemodynamic instability Kidney disease Pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding

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