NCT06835283 · NOT YET RECRUITING
Novel Brain Stimulation Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease
This small pilot study tests two non-invasive brain stimulation methods used together, iTBS in the clinic and then tDCS at home, in veterans with mild to moderate Alzheimer's or related dementia. It looks at whether the combination is practical and well tolerated, and whether symptoms like apathy, mood swings and agitation shift. It is an early pilot, not proof it works.
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria 1. veteran between the ages of 60 to 85 2. clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease or related dementia 3. clinically significant neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) evidenced by a score ≥ 2 in at least one domain of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire 4. mild to moderate cognitive impairment demonstrated by a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 15-23 5. have a caregiver who is able and willing to escort the patient to/from clinic visits, answer questionnaires, and assist in the implementation of treatment sessions at home 6. if taking psychotropic medications, demonstrate stability for at least 4 weeks of treatment Exclusion Criteria: 1. any contraindication for MRI 2. any contraindication for iTBS/tDCS including but not limited to seizure disorder, severe cardiovascular disease, history of brain surgery, or stroke involving the cerebral cortex near area of stimulation 3. current alcohol or substance use disorder determined by QuickSCID (nicotine allowed; mild cannabis and alcohol use is allowed) 4. neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) that are severe enough to preclude the intervention from being delivered safely and effectively, particularly agitation or aggression. 6) any unstable coexisting medical condition that in the opinion of the principal investigator(s) interferes with the treatment protocol or increase the likelihood of adverse events.
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 2026-10-05