Ritalin, Memory and Attention in MCI: a Behaviour-EEG Study
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2015-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Traditionally, memory impairments in the elderly population are treated using cholinesterase
inhibitors, although impairments remain after treatment. Dopamine (DA) is also involved in
cognition and is especially of interest in healthy ageing because of the role in processing
speed and cognitive control. To what extent dopamine treatment improves memory and attention
in older impaired individuals is unknown. However, such an effect is conceivable because of
the close relationship between memory and attention in aging and since improved processing
speed and cognitive control may lead to improved memory.
The investigators aim to examine, in the impaired older population, whether a treatment using
methylphenidate, a DA re-uptake inhibitor that enhances DA, improves attention and memory.
The study will be conducted according to a cross-sectional, double-blind, placebo-controlled,
2-way cross-over design. 20 male and female patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI),
amnestic type, aged above 60 years of age; 20 male and female patients with MCI, non-amnestic
type, will be recruited from the Orbis Medical Centre. Participants will be treated once with
20 mg methylphenidate (MPH) and once with placebo. All medications will be administered
orally with a capsule. The treatment order will be established by counterbalancing.