Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia

Recruiting now · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Alzheimer s Disease, Alzheimer Dementia (AD), Alzheimer Dementia, Alzheimer Disease, Apathy, Apathy in Dementia

In brief

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

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07279740

Run by

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

People needed

12

Starts

2026-01-01

Expected to finish

2027-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-12

Who can join

Age: any. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 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

You may not qualify if…

• 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

Where it is running

• Sunnybrook Research Institute — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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