Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia

Summary

This study evaluates whether the combined treatment of methylphenidate and non-invasive brain stimulation, called intermittent theta burst stimulation, can effectively treat apathy in individuals with Alzheimer's disease or mixed AD/vascular dementia

Interventions

• intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) · DEVICE

  iTBS is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic simulation (rTMS), a non-invasive form of brain stimulation.

• Methylphenidate (MPH) · DRUG

  Participants will be on methylphenidate clinically prior to the trial

Published eligibility criteria

Verbatim from the registry. Only the site can decide how these apply to a specific patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Alzheimer's disease or mixed Alzheimer's disease and vascular disease
* MMSE score 10-28 inclusive
* Clinically significant apathy
* Stable dose of psychotropic medication
* Care partner must spend at least 10hrs/week with the participant

Exclusion Criteria:

* Major Depressive Episode
* Clinically significant agitation, delusions, hallucinations
* Currently talking a dopaminergic agent other than methylphenidate
* Failure to clear the TMS adult safety scale (e.g. unapproved pacemakers, metallic implants, history of epilepsy)
* Central nervous system abnormalities (other than Alzheimer's disease) deemed clinically significant by study physician or seizures
* Any condition that in the opinion of the study physician, makes it medically unsafe for the patient to enroll in the trial

Sites (1)

• Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario · Recruiting