The Swedish BioFINDER 2 Study
DementiaAlzheimer Disease10 moreThe Swedish BioFINDER 2 study is a new study that will launch in 2017 and extends the previous cohorts of BioFINDER 1 study (www.biofinder.se). BioFINDER 1 is used e.g. to characterize the role of beta-amyloid pathology in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using amyloid-PET (18F-Flutemetamol) and Aβ analysis in cerebrospinal fluid samples. The BioFINDER 1 study has resulted in more than 40 publications during the last three years, many in high impact journals, and some the of the results have already had important implications for the diagnostic work-up patients with AD in the clinical routine practice. The original BioFINDER 1 cohort started to include participants in 2008. Since then there has been a rapid development of biochemical and neuroimaging technologies which enable novel ways to the study biological processes involved in Alzheimer's disease in living people. There has also been a growing interest in the earliest stages of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. With the advent of new tau-PET tracers there is now an opportunity to elucidate the role of tau pathology in the pathogenesis of AD and other tauopathies. The Swedish BioFINDER 2 study has been designed to complement the BioFINDER 1 study and to e.g. address issues regarding the role of tau pathology in different dementias and in preclinical stages of different dementia diseases. Further, the clinical assessments and MRI methods have been further optimized compared to BioFINDER 1.
Assessment of Cognitive Function in Patients Undergoing Elective Carotid Endarterectomy
Cognitive ImpairmentAssessment of cognitive function in patients undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy Classical treatment for ICA stenosis is carotid endarterectomy (CEA), which has been proven effective in preventing future stroke as well as improving cerebral perfusion. However, the influence of CEA on cognition is less defined, it remains unclear whether CEA can improve cognitive function. A change in cognition is one of the most threatening diseases of recent years, cognitive impairment significantly impacts patients, families, and healthcare system. The difference in the cognitive outcome may be accounted for microembolic events and adverse changes in haemodynamic circumstances. The aim of our study is to identify those factors what may have role in the postoperative cognitive decline. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the university ( SE RKEB: 17/2019) and written informed consent will be obtained from all patients. The investigators intend to enroll patient aged more than 18 years undergoing elective carotid endarterectomy at our hospital ( Semmelweis University Heart and Vascular Center). Exclusion criterion included young age (less than 18 years), incapacity and urgent surgery. The investigators would like to register at least 100-150 patients in our study. Most relevant anamnestic dates, the results of the laboratory and radiological reports will be recorded. Cognitive functions will be assessed one day before, one day and six month after the surgery using MMSE and a questionnaire called Frailty to characterize beside cognitive function the physiological reserve of the patients too. The investigators manage patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy with general anaesthesia, using inhaled or total intravenous agents. During the operation the investigators record beside the routine monitoring (intraarterial blood pressure, ECG, oxygen saturation, EtCO2, MAC) the cerebral tissue oxygen saturation using a near-infrared cerebral oximeter (Invos Cerebral/Somatic Oximeter) and the activity of the brain using GE Entropy Module. The investigators would like to register the changes in the haemodynamic and cerebral condition and compare these results against the clinical outcome and the changes of the questionnaires. Statistical analyses will be performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.
Epilepsy in Alzheimer's Disease: Effect on Disease Progression
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentAlzheimer DiseaseThis is a long-term, prospective, interventional study to investigate the role and prevalence of subclinical epileptiform activity in the hippocampus in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The investigators would like to investigate whether subclinical epileptiform activity in the hippocampus is more prevalent in patients with MCI, compared to healthy controls and to evaluate its effects on cognitive decline. Evolution of cognitive decline will be assessed over a time period of two years.
The Use of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Dementias
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentMild Dementia2 moreThe purpose of this open label study is to evaluate longer term tolerability and early efficacy of transcranial ultrasound in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Psychological Treatment to Support the Consequences of Cognitive Impairment
Cognitive ImpairmentPsychological2 moreThe burden of cognitive impairment is severe, and often hinders affected people to act independently in daily life. Individuals in different stages of cognitive decline are frequently affected by existential distress and associated health issues (such as stress symptoms, anxiety, and depression), as well as social avoidance due to the unclear prognosis. Although the need for psychological support is large, there is a lack of efficient individualized psychological treatments- and methods to maintain psychological health that sufficiently impact daily life and promote behavioral- and biological change. In keeping with that notion, the investigators have developed a novel psychological treatment manual focused on supporting individuals with early phase cognitive impairment. The treatment manual is centered on facilitating behavioral change in accordance with personal values and long-term goals even in the presence of negative experiences, as well as to promote meaningful life-style changes. Conceptually, the treatment manual has its basis in the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tradition, but the investigators have strived to adapt the manual to suit a cognitively affected population. The investigators will evaluate the psychological treatment in a RCT were the investigators will include approximately 138 individuals in their early phases of cognitive decline and randomize them into either an experimental group (psychological treatment), an active control group (cognitive training), or a treatment as usual control group. Evaluations will be conducted with, psychological health measures, cognitive assessments, and with biological markers. The investigators hypothesize that in comparison with the control conditions, the response to psychological treatment will be associated with improved psychological health and improved cellular protection.
Preventing Alzheimer's With Cognitive Training
Age-related Cognitive DeclineAlzheimer's Disease and Related DementiasDementia is the most expensive medical condition in the US and increases in prevalence with age. More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. Mild cognitive impairment is a transitional stage between normal cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, and is indicative of higher risk for dementia. In addition to the obvious health and quality-of-life ramifications of dementia, there are high direct (e.g., subsidizing residential care needs) and indirect (e.g., lost productivity of family caregivers) economic costs. Implementing interventions to prevent MCI and dementia among older adults is of critical importance to health and maintained quality-of-life for millions of Americans. Recent data analyses from the Advanced Cognitive Training in Vital Elderly study (ACTIVE) indicate that a specific cognitive intervention, speed of processing training (SPT), significantly delays the incidence of cognitive impairment across 10 years. The primary contribution of the proposed research will be the determination of whether this cognitive training technique successfully delays the onset of clinically defined MCI or dementia across three years.
Modulation Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Subjective Cognitive Decline
Cognitive DeclineThe aim of this study is to investigate the modulation effects of Baduanjin (BDJ), a simple and innovative mind-body exercise, on cognitive function, resting state functional connectivity, and brain morphometry in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The results obtained will provide novel insights for improving the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
Don't be Late! Postponing Cognitive Decline and Preventing Early Unemployment in People With Multiple...
Multiple SclerosisThe goal of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of two innovative interventions aimed at preventing cognitive decline and work-related problems to enhanced usual care in improving quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. Secondary objectives are: to compare the effectiveness of the investigated interventions in improving cognitive, psychological, and work functioning, and in enhancing the brain's functional network to examine which factors (i.e., baseline cognitive, psychological, work, and brain MRI-parameters) are predictive of the response to the investigated interventions aim to qualitatively reflect on the process and outcome of the investigated interventions considering the perspectives of relevant stakeholders to allow for smooth and successful implementation in clinical practice Participants will follow the intervention for four months, with follow-up measurements at six months after intervention and 12 months after intervention.
The Lifestyle Exercise and Diet Trial (LEAD) 2.0
Subjective Cognitive DeclineThe objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a virtually-delivered 6-month exercise and nutrition intervention in older adults with executive subjective cognitive decline (SCD). Feasibility will be determined by recruitment, retention, and adherence rates. Preliminary changes in cognition, physical function, and quality of life will be assessed as secondary outcomes. The study will recruit 140 participants aged 65 to 80 who report they feel that their memory or other thinking abilities are declining. Participants will be randomized into one of four study arms receiving different combinations of healthy lifestyle interventions. Assessments will be conducted virtually at baseline, post-intervention (6 months), and follow-up (12 months). All intervention sessions and assessment visits will be conducted online using the Zoom Healthcare platform and participants will log on using their own devices from home.
CSF Metabolomics and Glymphatic Function in Patients Receiving VP- Shunt Surgery.
The Association of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction With Glymphatic Function and NeuroinflammationThe Association of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction With CSF Metabolomic ChangeIn this randomized control study, the investigators intended to evaluate the influence of different anesthetics on postoperative cognitive dysfunction, neuroinflammation, CSF metabolomics, and glymphatic function in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus for VP shunt surgery. The investigators assume that the use of dexmedetomidine infusion and proper anesthsia depth during general anesthesia, in addition to multi-model analgesia, might be helpful to enhance glymphatic function, reduce neuroinflammation, and decrease postoperative cognitive dysfunction.