Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia
Recruiting now Phase 2 NCT07279740
Run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · for All ages · All sexes
What this study is about
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
Who can join (things the study team will check)
✅ You may be able to join 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 be able to join 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 this trial is running
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Verify everything on the official ClinicalTrials.gov record. Page updated July 2026.
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