Apathy is a common, early, and disabling symptom in dementias and mild behavioural impairment such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is characterized by lack of interest and enthusiasm. Both repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a form of non-invasive brain stimulation, and methylphenidate, a medication, have been shown to improve apathy. This pilot study will investigate rTMS as a treatment for apathy in neurocognitive disorders and mild behavioural impairment in individuals receiving methylphenidate and individuals not receiving medication for apathy.
mild or major neurocognitive disorder OR mild behavioural impairment
Apathy for at least 4 weeks
Stable dose of medication (>4 weeks) that may affect cognition or behaviour
Care partner who spends at least 10 hours a week with the subject
Current major depressive episode
Agitation, delusions, hallucination
Medical contraindications to rTMS
Currently taking an amphetamine product
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Lead sponsor