Home-based tDCS for Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease

Home-based Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) for Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)

The purpose of this study is to assess feasibility, acceptability, and safety of providing tDCS to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) patients with apathy and to assess the efficacy of tDCS for ADRD-related symptoms, with a primary focus on apathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of possible or probable ADRD according to the National Institute of Aging - Alzheimer's Association diagnostic criteria
• Mild or moderate dementia, as defined by a MMSE score between 14 and 26
• Clinically meaningful apathy for at least four weeks, clinically diagnosed according to 2018 Apathy Diagnostic Criteria or defined as Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q) apathy score equal or above 4 (i.e., severity of 'moderate' or greater and caregiver distress 'mild' or greater).
• Stable doses of cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine and other psychotropic medications for at least three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unstable medical conditions
• History of epilepsy
• Metallic objects in the brain
• Diagnosis of major depression and/or a score higher than 18 on the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia