Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate for Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease
Tests methylphenidate combined with brain stimulation for apathy in people with dementia.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia
Key facts
- Where
- Toronto, CanadaSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 2
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for people with Alzheimer's disease, or Alzheimer's mixed with vascular dementia, who have clinically significant apathy.
- Sex
- All sexes can join.
- Disease stage
- Alzheimer's disease or mixed Alzheimer's disease and vascular disease. MMSE score 10-28 inclusive. Clinically significant apathy.
- Earlier treatment
- Must be on a stable dose of psychotropic medication. Cannot currently take a dopaminergic agent other than methylphenidate.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Major Depressive Episode
- Clinically significant agitation, delusions or hallucinations
- Failure to clear the TMS adult safety scale (for example unapproved pacemakers, metallic implants, history of epilepsy)
- Other clinically significant central nervous system abnormalities or seizures
- Any condition the study physician judges medically unsafe for the trial
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Canada
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteToronto, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Trial code
- NCT07279740
- Record updated
- 12 December 2025
- Original description
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 dementiaRead full original descriptionShow less
Methylphenidate Primed iTBS for Apathy in Neurocognitive Disorders
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
Inclusion: 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: 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; Major Depressive Episode; Clinically significant agitation, delusions, hallucinations; Currently talking a dopaminergic agent other than methylphenidate.