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Methylphenidate primed iTBS for apathy in neurocognitive disorders

Project Overview

Apathy (reduced goal-directed behaviour) is common in persons with dementia and is associated with lower quality of life, increased dependence and faster decline. Two treatments were recently shown to be modestly effective: the first is an oral medication called methylphenidate; the second is brain stimulation. Looking at the way brain stimulation works, methylphenidate may improve the response to it and help improvements last longer. Our 10-week study will assess a method of brain stimulation, intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), in treating apathy in 6 persons with Alzheimer disease who are taking methylphenidate for apathy and 6 persons with Alzheimer disease who are not taking methylphenidate for apathy. The study will determine if the combined treatments of methylphenidate plus iTBS work more effectively than iTBS alone in treating apathy in persons with dementia.

Principal Investigator

Krista Lanctot , Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Team Members

Amer Burhan, London Health Sciences Centre

Partners and Donors

Alzheimer Society of Canada

Project Ongoing

Methylphenidate primed iTBS for apathy in neurocognitive disorders

  • Grant Type

    Capacity building grants

  • Area of research

    Neurodegeneration

  • Disease Area

    Alzheimer’s

  • Competition

    Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP)

  • Province

    Ontario

  • Start Date

    2025

  • Total Grant Amount

    $100,000

  • Health Canada Contribution

    $50,000