Targeting Brain Physiology to Treat Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia Using TMS-EEG and tDCS

Launched by CENTRE FOR ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH · Feb 15, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating new ways to understand and treat agitation and aggression in people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. These behaviors affect many individuals with dementia, often leading to challenges for them, their families, and caregivers. The researchers are using non-invasive techniques, like applying magnetic stimulation to the head and monitoring brain activity, to learn more about what causes these symptoms and to see if a specific treatment called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can help reduce agitation.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 50 years old and have a diagnosis of dementia related to Alzheimer's with mild to moderate agitation. You should also have a support person who can accompany you to appointments. If you take medication for agitation, it should have been stable for at least a week. The study is currently recruiting participants, and those who join can expect to undergo brain stimulation treatments while researchers gather information to understand how these therapies might improve their symptoms. If you or someone you know might be interested, it’s a good idea to discuss it with a healthcare provider for more information.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Participants with AD+Agitation
• Inclusion:
• • 1. Age 50 years or older.
• • 2. Participant or substitute decision maker able and willing to provide informed consent.
• • 3. Dementia due to probable or possible AD as defined by NIA-AA criteria.
• • 4. Presence of mild to moderate agitation and/or aggression as defined by: Agitation in cognitive disorders. International Psychogeriatric Association Provisional Consensus Clinical and Research Definition.
• • 5. Availability of a support person to accompany the participant to study appointments and provide collateral information as needed.
• • 6. If taking medication for neuropsychiatric symptoms, the dose should be stable for at least 1 week.
• Exclusion:
• • 1. Psychiatric diagnosis other than dementia significantly impacting the presentation.
• • 2. Presence of delirium or other acute medical condition significantly contributing to agitation/aggression or making the study participation unsafe for a participant.
• • 3. Any contraindication to TMS or tDCS.
• • 4. Any other condition that in the opinion of principal investigator will make the study participation unsafe or non-feasible for the participant.
• • 5. Currently taking anticonvulsants or benzodiazepines at a dose sufficient to cause interference with TMS-EEG.
• • Participants with AD without aggression
• • All the above inclusion/exclusion criteria except meeting the inclusion criterion 4 pertaining to agitation/aggression. Participants with significant agitation/aggression will be excluded from this group.
• • Healthy comparator participants
• Inclusion:
• • 1. Age 50 years or older.
• • 2. Able and willing to provide informed consent.
• • 3. Free from any significant neurological disorder.
• Exclusion:
• • 1. Lifetime DSM-5 diagnosis other than simple phobias or adjustment disorder.
• • 2. Any Contraindication to TMS.
• • 3. Currently taking anticonvulsants or benzodiazepines at a dose sufficient to cause interference with TMS-EEG.