Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia (NCT07279740) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 2
Combined Brain Stimulation and Methylphenidate Treatment for Apathy in Dementia
Canada12 participantsStarted 2026-01
Plain-language summary
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 participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 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 Criteria:
* 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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Apathy (NPI-A) score