NCT02326038

Ritalin, Memory and Attention in MCI: a Behaviour-EEG Study

Can Methylphenidate (Ritalin) Improve Memory and Attention in Mild Cognitive Impairment? A Combined Behaviour-EEG Study

• Status: Unknown
• Phase: Phase 4
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Maastricht University Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Traditionally, memory impairments in the elderly population are treated using cholinesterase inhibitors, although impairments remain after treatment. Dopamine (DA) is also involved in cognition and is especially of interest in healthy ageing because of the role in processing speed and cognitive control. To what extent dopamine treatment improves memory and attention in older impaired individuals is unknown. However, such an effect is conceivable because of the close relationship between memory and attention in aging and since improved processing speed and cognitive control may lead to improved memory. The investigators aim to examine, in the impaired older population, whether a treatment using methylphenidate, a DA re-uptake inhibitor that enhances DA, improves attention and memory. The study will be conducted according to a cross-sectional, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way cross-over design. 20 male and female patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), amnestic type, aged above 60 years of age; 20 male and female patients with MCI, non-amnestic type, will be recruited from the Orbis Medical Centre. Participants will be treated once with 20 mg methylphenidate (MPH) and once with placebo. All medications will be administered orally with a capsule. The treatment order will be established by counterbalancing.

Conditions

• Mild Cognitive Impairment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Methylphenidate	single oral administration of 20 mg tablet

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-11-01
• Primary completion: 2015-12-01
• Completion: 2015-12-01
• First posted: 2014-12-25
• Last updated: 2014-12-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands