The Apathy in Dementia Methylphenidate Trial (ADMET), funded by the National Institute of Aging, is a Phase II, placebo-controlled, masked, 3-center randomized clinical trial. ADMET will enroll 60 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and significant apathy from outpatient, nursing home, and assisted living facilities along with their primary caregiver. Eligible and willing patients will be randomly assigned to methylphenidate (20 mg per day) or placebo. At baseline and each in-person follow-up visit, all caregivers and patients will be provided with a standardized psychosocial intervention consisting of a counseling session, provision of educational materials, and 24-hour availability for crises. Efficacy and safety outcomes will be measured at baseline and at in-person follow-up visits at 2, 4, and 6 weeks following randomization. Telephone contact will take place at 1, 3, and 5 weeks after randomization.