Actively Recruiting
Accelerated rTMS vs. Sham for Stroke Apathy
Led by Medical University of South Carolina · Updated on 2025-10-22
40
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
98 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Apathy is a common set of symptoms seen in many people following a stroke. Apathy occurs when a person has lost motivation, becomes withdrawn, and stops doing things that used to be important to them. Apathy has a large negative impact on a person's quality of life, and can also have a large impact the people who take care of them. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments to help with apathy, and other services like therapy may be difficult to access for people who have had a stroke. To address this problem, investigators are conducting a study to find out if a form of treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be safe and helpful for people struggling with apathy after a stroke. This study will apply a new form of rTMS which can be delivered quickly to a part of the brain called the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This study will help establish whether this treatment is safe, comfortable, and effective for people with apathy after a stroke, and will help researchers develop new forms of treatment.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Accelerated rTMS vs. Sham for Stroke Apathy
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- 40 years old or greater
- Right- or left-hemisphere ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with at least 6 months chronicity
- Symptomatic apathy confirmed by Apathy Evaluation Scale score of 39 or higher by participant or caregiver
- Ability to participate in psychometric testing and cognitive tasks
- Intact cortex at the TMS target site confirmed by pre-treatment MRI
- Ability to have a co-participant/caregiver who meets study criteria
You will not qualify if you...
- Primary extra-axial hemorrhage without ischemic stroke or intraparenchymal hemorrhage
- Other neurological disorders affecting motor or cognitive function (e.g. dementia)
- Moderate or severe global aphasia
- Visual impairment preventing completion of cognitive tasks
- Contraindications to MRI or TMS including metal or sensitive implants
- Pregnancy (confirmed by urine pregnancy test if applicable)
- History of seizure disorder
- Scalp lesion, wound, bone defect, or hemicraniectomy
- Claustrophobia preventing MRI
- Active substance use disorder
- Psychotic disorders
- Bipolar 1 Disorder
- Acute suicidality or suicide attempt in past year
- Co-participant/caregiver unable to engage with study procedures requiring their input
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Medical University of South Carolina Brain Stimulation Lab
Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29403
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Parneet Grewal, MD
CONTACT
L
Lisa McTeague, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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