Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Brain Iron in Neurodegenerative Disease
Neurodegenerative DiseasesMild Cognitive ImpairmentNeurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis are recognized as a major health concern at the present time. There is information in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies regarding the role of brain iron in normal brain aging that may be enhanced with the use of better scanning equipment and procedures, and by correlating this information with clinical data. This research study aims to develop and evaluate a number of techniques that can potentially improve the effectiveness of three tesla (3T) magnetic resonance imaging of neurodegenerative brain disorders.
IMPAACT 2015 - Evaluation of the HIV-1 Reservoir in the Central Nervous System of Perinatally-Infected...
HIV-1-infectionIMPAACT 2015 is a cross-sectional, exploratory study that will investigate the central nervous system (CNS) reservoir in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and young adults on effective antiretroviral therapy with neurocognitive impairment. The study will assess the frequency with which HIV is detected in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in this population and assess whether detectable HIV in the CSF correlates with markers of inflammation and neuronal injury. Findings from this study will advance understanding of the role of the CNS in HIV-1 persistence and its implications for future HIV-1 remission research.
Serum, Dietary and Supplemental Vitamin D's Association With Cognitive Decline
Cognitive DeclineCognitive ImpairmentSerum 25(OH)D, dietary and supplemental vitamin D were shown to influence cognitive outcomes in large epidemiological studies. Sex/age-specific and race-specific associations of vitamin D status and intake were examined with longitudinal change in various cognitive domains in a large sample of ethnically and socio-economically diverse US urban adults. Two prospective waves of data from Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study were used, specifically visit 1: 2004-2009 and visit 2: 2009-2013, mean follow-up time±SD: 4.64±0.93y. Cognitive performance was assessed using 11 test scores covering domains of global cognition, attention, learning/memory, executive function, visuo-spatial/visuo-construction ability, psychomotor speed and language/verbal. Serum 25(OH)D, vitamin D intake and use of supplements containing vitamin D were the key exposures. Multiple mixed-effects linear regression models were conducted, (N=1,231-1,803, k=1.5-2.0 observation/participant).
Air Purifier to Improve Endothelial Function and Carotid Intima Thickness
Endothelial FunctionCognitive ImpairmentBackground: There is epidemiological evidence or link ambient air pollution exposure to the incidence of dementia. Aims or hypotheses: It is hypothesized that reduction in indoor pollutants from air purification improves endothelial function and carotid intima thickness in older diabetic people with cognitive impairment. Subjects and method: People with clinically diagnosis mild cognitive impairment or early dementia will be recruited. After obtaining written consent, the subjects will be assessed cognitive function and arterial health. After baseline measurements, the subjects are randomly assigned to have either filter or no filter installed in the air purifier. The air purifier will be placed in living room of the household of the subject for one year. At one year, the measurements will be repeated. Statistical analysis: Intention to treat analysis will be adopted.
Can Singing Kangaroo Improve Outcome of Preterm Infants
Neurocognitive DysfunctionLanguage DevelopmentTo assess whether a musical intervention (maternal/paternal singing) during the skin-to-skin sessions (Kangaroo care) would improve the language development of the preterm infant. Infants will be randomized to singing or silence during the Kangaroo care from the age corresponding to 30th gestational week until term age (40 gestational weeks).
ENgaging in Advance Care Planning Talks Group Visit Intervention for Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentThe Advance Care Planning Group Visit intervention is a new intervention that uses the strengths of group visits to promote advance care planning conversations and documentation. However, the Advance Care Planning Group Visit intervention was initially designed for individuals without cognitive impairment. This study will specifically investigate ways to adapt the Advance Care Planning Group Visit intervention for individuals with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and their family care partners.
S100B Protein and Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Postoperative Cognitive DysfunctionPrimary aim of this study is to evaluate the association between postoperative cognitive dysfunction and increased serum levels of S100B protein after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
Cross-Cultural Use of Performance-Based Functional Assessment in Alzheimer's Disease
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentHealthy ControlsThis study plans to assess the effectiveness of performance-based functional assessments (PBFAs) and cognitive assessments in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in Hispanic/Latino populations. The information from this study will be analyzed with data from the Rocky Mountain Alzheimer's Disease Center Bio-AD study (NCT02612376).
Cognitive Dysfunction in MS: Using Altered Brain Oscillation to Link Molecular Mechanisms With Clinical...
Pediatric Multiple SclerosisUp to 65% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience cognitive dysfunction. Diminution of mental capacity has a pervasive and profound impact on their quality of life. Subtle changes in white matter predict cognitive changes in these patients but how this disrupts brain function remains unclear. Development of effective therapeutics to restore normal cognition hinges on elucidating these functional changes. The investigators seek to uncover the patho-physiological basis for cognitive decline in MS. The investigators hypothesize that cognitive decline originates from disrupted gamma oscillations and that gamma oscillations are disrupted by molecular changes triggered by demyelination.
Return of Amyloid Imaging Results (RAISR Study)
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentDiagnostic tests designed to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology are increasingly popular in research on cognitive aging and AD. Due to concerns that information from such tests may be misunderstood, psychologically harmful, and of unclear clinical significance, results of pre mortem tests of AD pathology have typically been withheld from research participants. However, as the reliability and potential clinical significance of tests like brain amyloid imaging have become clear, there is a pressing need to revisit the practice of unilaterally withholding such information from research participants and identify responsible approaches to communicating individual results. Amyloid imaging results may be particularly relevant to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a population for whom a growing body of evidence suggests that such testing may provide valuable prognostic and planning information, despite the unavailability of interventions to alter one's clinical course. Our preliminary work suggests that research participants with MCI and their family members are receptive to and capable of understanding information about the purpose, results, and implications of amyloid imaging when presented using a standardized approach developed by our interdisciplinary team. Building on this work, the proposed study will examine a well characterized sample of MCI care dyads (patient + family member) who will be randomized to either receive the opportunity to decide if they would like to pursue an amyloid PET Scan, or be randomized to not receive that opportunity (and will serve in the no-scan comparison group). This study aims to test hypotheses that examine how receiving amyloid imaging results will impact understanding of, and perceived self-efficacy for coping with, MCI among both patients and care partners.