NCT05561205 · RECRUITING
rTMS for Apathy Clinical Trial
This trial is testing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, as a way to reduce apathy in people with mild cognitive impairment, mild behavioural impairment, or early dementia. Some participants will also be taking methylphenidate and some will not. This is a Phase NA pilot study, meaning it is a small early-stage test focused on feasibility and initial signals, not a definitive proof of effectiveness.
You may qualify if
- 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
You're excluded if
- Current major depressive episode
- Agitation, delusions, hallucination
- Medical contraindications to rTMS
- Currently taking an amphetamine product
- Central nervous system abnormalities, Tourette's syndrome, or motor tics
- Current participation in another clinical trial
The sponsor's own eligibility wording, lightly reformatted. The study team makes the final eligibility decision — worth discussing with your doctor.
Eligibility criteria as of 2026-04-13