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

Agitation and aggression impose a tremendous burden on the individuals living with dementia, their families, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia (NPS) affect up to 80% of patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). The mechanisms of agitation in AD are poorly understood and the current interventions are only modestly effective while having serious adverse effects. In this study, the investigators propose to assess the mechanisms and treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD with the use of non-invasive, brain stimulation approaches. By applying magnetic stimulation to the surface of the head (transcranial magnetic stimulation - TMS) combined with electroencephalography (EEG), the investigators will be able to study the mechanisms of agitation and advance our understanding of AD. Further, the investigators will evaluate if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is effective to treat agitation dementia.

Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and related neurodegenerative diseases are inflicting a global healthcare crisis. Neuropsychiatric symptoms including agitation and aggression affect up to 80% of patients with AD. Among these symptoms, agitation and aggression are the most burdensome for patients, families, caregivers, and the health care system. The mechanisms of agitation in AD are poorly understood and the current interventions are only modestly effective while having serious adverse effects.

In this study, the investigators propose to assess the mechanisms and treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD with the use of non-invasive, brain stimulation approaches. Agitation/aggression is associated with abnormalities in the balance of cortical excitation/inhibition. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using single and paired pulse TMS paradigms such as long interval cortical inhibition (LICI) and short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) can assess this cortical excitation/inhibition balance in vivo. The investigators will use TMS, combined with electroencephalography (EEG), to assess cortical excitation/inhibition balance in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of participants with AD with and without agitation/aggression and age matched healthy comparators.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that uses a very low intensity electric current to modulate cortical excitability and brain plasticity. tDCS can restore excitation and inhibition balance by altering GABA and glutamate activity in the brain. tDCS can be safely administered to awake persons and is very well tolerated. Studies in healthy individuals and patients with AD have shown that tDCS applied to frontal brain regions can enhance cognitive function. Further, tDCS applied to frontal brain regions can improve depressive symptoms. The effects of tDCS on neuropsychiatric symptoms are not known. In this study, the investigators will use tDCS applied to the frontal brain regions to target deficits in inhibition and symptoms of agitation/aggression in AD.

This study will be done over a period of 3 years at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Geriatric Psychiatry Division and Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention. The investigators will recruit and enroll 30 individuals with AD + Agitation (mild to moderate agitation), 30 individuals with AD without agitation and 30 older healthy individuals. Medical work up will be done as part of clinical care prior to study enrollment to rule out medical causes of agitation. Clinical and cognitive assessments will be performed to characterize participants at baseline. The investigators will assess cortical inhibition using TMS EEG at baseline in the three groups. Individuals with AD + agitation will then receive a 2 week course of active/sham cathodal tDCS to frontal brain region in a double blind 1:1 randomized control design. Assessment of cortical inhibition using measures identical to baseline will be done at the end of tDCS course. The investigators will also repeat clinical and cognitive assessments after tDCS course and 2 weeks later. Measures of cortical inhibition will first be compared between HC and AD, and between AD and AD + Agitation groups. The treatment effects on clinical symptoms, cortical inhibition and the rate adverse events will be compared between active and sham tDCS groups.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the study has been modified to be administered in a hybrid manner to accommodate both in-person and virtual assessments. Clinical and cognitive assessments can be done in-person or remotely. The initial tDCS course will be conducted in-person with the research staff. The remaining tDCS intervention will be completed onsite or at the participant's home with virtual supervision from the research team.

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.