Active clinical trials for "Cognitive Dysfunction"

This study will train a machine learning tool to predict response to a cognitive training intervention using baseline brain MRI sequences from older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

The project is a placebo-controlled study that aims to use closed-loop transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to study patients with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment which is likely due to Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia (AD-MCI). Patients will undergo an EEG and complete some questionnaires and computer tasks during each study visit. The project has the following aims and hypotheses: 1.) To determine the impact of closed-loop 40 Hz tACS on the entrainment of natural gamma rhythms in patients with AD-MCI, 2.) To determine the impact of closed-loop 40 Hz tACS on cognitive performance in patients with AD-MCI, and 3.) To assess the relationship between baseline neurodegenerative burden and impact of tACS. [exploratory]

Cognitive disorders are common after intensive care. Currently, their diagnosis is based on clinical tests. The investigators plan to study the relationship between different neurological blood biomarkers (cytokines, S100β protein, neuron specific enolase, total Tau protein and neurofilament light chain) and the occurrence of cognitive disorders during the three months following intensive care discharge.

Rationale: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) suffer from accelerated cognitive aging. In able-bodied individuals, a vast amount of studies have shown that exercise interventions can improve cognitive function. Myokines (i.e. factors released into the blood stream from muscle cells) are considered one of the mediators of this beneficial effect. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), used to replace or support muscle training in disabled individuals with poor exercise possibilities, was shown to elicit a large release of myokines (in some studies larger than following voluntary exercise). However, so far, the effects of NMES on cognitive function have never been studied before. In fact, only one study has previously investigated the effect of exercise on cognitive function in persons with SCI. Objective: The primary aim is to assess to what extent a 12 week intervention with NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI can change their performance on a set of cognitive tests. Secondarily, the investigators will measure to what extent NMES to the quadriceps muscles of people with SCI induces changes in blood levels of the myokine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered a potential mediator of the exercise-cognition effect, facilitating neuroplastic processes. Study design: A single case experimental design (SCED) with sequential multiple baseline time series and a single-armed prospective study design, with a random duration of the baseline phase ranging from 3 to 6 weeks, an intervention phase of 12 weeks, and a 12 week period without measurements, followed by a follow-up phase of 3 weeks; in addition to a single-armed prospective study design. Study population: Individuals (n = 15) aged 18 years and older with a chronic SCI (>1y post-injury) and with visible or palpable contraction of the quadriceps muscles upon NMES will be recruited at the rehabilitation centre of Adelante in Hoensbroek, the Netherlands. Intervention: The study participants will receive 30min of NMES using surface electrodes on the quadriceps muscles three times per week for a total duration of 12 weeks. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome is cognitive function changes which will be measured using a secured smartphone application (e.g. m-Path). Secondary outcome measures are changes in the blood myokine levels of BDNF and changes in cognitive outcome scores on an verbal cognitive test battery.

This research study aims to identify MRI-based brain biomarkers that predict an individual's response to Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). In particular, this study will focus on changes in cognition associated with DBS. A total of 55 participants with Parkinson's Disease planning to undergo DBS will be recruited from MUSCs Clinical DBS Program. Participants will undergo four visits, including a 1-hour screening visit, a 1.5-hour pre-DBS MRI scanning visit, and a 3.5-hour post-DBS cognitive assessment visit.

Chemotherapy is toxic and challenges everyone differently. Most chemotherapy side-effects are known and well documented. However, the phenomenon of "chemo fog" also known as "chemobrain" has not been fully investigated and is often based on comments of breast cancer patients attending outpatient clinics during and after their chemotherapy. Changes in thinking ability like lack of concentration, loss of memory and the inability to hold a thought or even a conversation has a significant impact on the lives of breast cancer patients. Without understanding what "chemobrain" is, and what causes it, there is little that doctors can do to help at the moment. The team proposing this study believe that chemotherapy causes chemicals associated with inflammation to attack parts of the brain that are important for concentration and making new memories. Unfortunately, it is not possible to measure these chemicals directly in the brain, but we believe that a brain scan sensitive to excess iron, a marker of brain inflammation, can help. This project will measure thinking ability, such as memory and concentration, take a blood sample and do a brain scan before, during and after a patient has chemotherapy. We will then look for changes in iron in the brain areas that are important for concentration and memory and compare those to changes in thinking ability and to levels of inflammation chemicals in the blood. This information will be essential to help plan our next step which is to test ways to reduce the effects of "chemobrain".

The Anti-Aβ mAb CED Study is a prospective, longitudinal coverage with evidence development (CED) study using clinical data, patient assessments, and administrative claims data of the Medicare population, conducted in accordance to the National Coverage Determination (NCD) on Monoclonal Antibodies Directed Against Amyloid for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Background: In recent years, the changes of cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment have attracted attention. Methods/design: We will follow up at 3. The primary outcome will be the measurement of cognitive function using neuropsychological assessment scales such as MOCA, MMSE, etc... Minor variables will be included plasma biomarkers (Aβ, Tau, GFAP, etc.), multimodal brain electrophysiology (P300, VP300, heart rate variability, etc.), and neuroimaging indicators (NODDI).

Dementia is the major cause of disability and dependency among older adults worldwide affecting memory, cognitive abilities and behavior, interfering with one's ability to perform daily lives activities. Although age is the strongest known risk factor for the onset of dementia, it is not a natural or inevitable consequence of aging. Dementia not only affects older people, since up to 9% of the cases appear before 65 years. The impact of dementia is highly important in financial terms also in human costs to countries, societies and individuals. Dementia is an umbrella term for several diseases, being Alzheimer's disease (AD) the most common form, contributing to 60-70% of cases. Other major forms include Lewy bodies Dementias (LBDs) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in human brain development and function is an area of increasing interest and research. A large number of studies suggest that the gut microbiota can influence the brain, cognition and behavior of the patients, and also modulate brain plasticity, modifying brain chemistry via various mechanisms like neural, immune and endocrine Within these last two years some studies have showed differences in the microbiota of the AD patients from healthy controls. In this sense, increasing number of studies, most of them in animal models, support the notion that probiotics have significant benefit in maintaining homeostasis of the Central Nervous System. And recent studies try to replicate this finding in AD patients with controversial results. The main objective of DEM-BIOTA project is to improve the knowledge of the relationship between microbiota and dementia. DEM-BIOTA will explore the microbiota differences between dementias: AD, LBDs, that includes: Parkinson disease dementia (PDD) and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and FTD-behavioral variant, also in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to study the progression; in our context (Mediterranean diet and lifestyle) and characterize them in relation to neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as patient functionality (dependency level). Moreover, the capacity of a probiotic compound in reverting or improving neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms and patient functionality in a sample of AD patients will be also studied.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is known for its motor symptoms and affects more than 100,000 Canadians. However, PD patients also show cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric problems that significantly impair their quality of life. The occurrence of dementia in PD is much higher than in the general population. The proposed study will allow the principal investigator, his team and his collaborators to investigate the origins and evolution of the cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants with PD with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and participants with and without MCI over the age of 60 years will be assessed during eight study visits over three years. Through brain imaging, clinical testing, as well as genotyping the cognitive patterns in the four different groups will be observed and compared. The results will be used to identify biomarkers that can predict the occurrence of dementia early in the disease. Ultimately, the results of the proposed research will contribute to interventions and treatment strategies tailored to different cognitive profiles in PD before the occurrence of dementia.