Effect of Methylphenidate for Apathy on Visual Attention Scanning Behavior: a Pilot Study

Authors

  • Sarah A. Chau Sunnybrook Research Institute; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Nathan Herrmann Sunnybrook Research Institute; University of Toronto
  • Jonathan Chung University of Toronto
  • Moshe Eizenman University of Toronto
  • Krista L. Lanctôt Sunnybrook Research Institute; University of Toronto;

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.21.291

Keywords:

Alzheimer’s disease, apathy, methylphenidate, eye-tracking

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the potential of eye-tracking technology in monitoring symptoms and predicting outcomes in apathetic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients treated with methylphenidate (MTP).

Methods

Neuropsychological tests and eye-tracking measurements were completed at baseline and following at least four weeks of treatment with MTP (5–10 mg BID). Eye-movements were measured while patients viewed novel and social stimuli. Cognition, behavior, and apathy were assessed using the Standardized Mini-Mental State Exam (sMMSE), Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), respectively.

Results

Nine patients were included in the analysis (age: median=75, interquartile range=8; sMMSE: median=22, interquartile range=14). Spearman correlations showed that improvement on the AES was associated with increased visual attention towards novel stimuli (ρ7=-0.809, p=.008). Additionally, lower baseline attention towards social images was associated with improvement on the AES (ρ7=0.905, p=.001).

Conclusions

Eye-tracking techniques can be developed as an objective and nonverbal method of monitoring symptoms and treatment outcomes in AD patients.

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Published

2018-07-09

How to Cite

1.
Chau SA, Herrmann N, Chung J, Eizenman M, Lanctôt KL. Effect of Methylphenidate for Apathy on Visual Attention Scanning Behavior: a Pilot Study. Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2018 Jul. 9 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];21(2):139-42. Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/291

Issue

Section

Original Research