rTMS for Apathy Clinical Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Trial end date: 2024-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Apathy is a common, early, and disabling symptom in dementias such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is characterized by lack of interest and enthusiasm. Both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, and methylphenidate, a medication, have been shown to improve apathy. This pilot study will investigate rTMS as a treatment for apathy in AD in individuals receiving methylphenidate and individuals not receiving medication for apathy.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Treatments: Methylphenidate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Alzheimer's disease or mixed Alzheimer's disease/vascular disease

• Apathy for at least 4 weeks

• Stable dose of medication (>4 weeks) that may affect cognition or behaviour

• Care partner who spends at least 10 hours a week with the subject

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current major depressive episode

• Agitation, delusions, hallucination

• Medical contraindications to rTMS

• Currently taking an amphetamine product

• Central nervous system abnormalities, Tourette's syndrome, or motor tics

• Current participation in another clinical trial