Synaptic Plasticity and Cognitive Function in RASopathies
Impaired Synaptic PlasticityImpaired CognitionThe project is targeting cognitive impairment, one of the main health problems of patients with RAS pathway disorders. The aim of this study is to translate findings of animal studies to humans. This has been done by the applicants successfully for Lovastatin in Nf1. This result will be transferred to patients with Noonan Syndrome. lamotrigine is most likely a more effective and promising substance improving synaptic plasticity and consecutive cognitive function. It is expected that both substances are improving synaptic plasticity as well as alertness and changes in alertness may be a precondition for improvement of cognition.
Tablet-based Cognitive Training
Alzheimer DiseaseDementia1 moreToday the therapy options for dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) are limited. One recommended intervention is cognitive stimulation. We try to develop serious games as a further treatment option, also usable in pre-dementia as well as early stages of dementia and for a long period of time. The main objective of this study is to test, if the computerized-cognitive training (CCT) is able to improve the performance in a score quantifying an "AD-specific" component score. Additionally, the neurobiological effects of the training are investigated.
Treatment of Stress and Anxiety in MCI/Mild ADRD
AnxietyMild Cognitive Impairment2 moreThe goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of a computerized anxiety sensitivity treatment (CAST) compared to a health education control (HEC) in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their care partners. The main questions it aims to answer are: Efficacy of CAST in reducing anxiety and related symptoms among those with MCI/mild ADRD Efficacy of CAST in reducing care partner burden among care partners of people living with MCI/mild ADRD Explore treatment mechanisms using a multi-modal assessment battery of anxiety sensitivity and anxiety Participants will complete six in-person visits including a baseline assessment, two intervention sessions, and three follow-up assessments at 1, 3, and 6-months posttreatment. Participants will also complete three weeks of ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) for one week prior to intervention, one week between intervention sessions, and one week after intervention. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare CAST to HEC to see if CAST reduces anxiety and related symptoms in older adults with MCI/mild ADRD and care partner burden to a greater degree than HEC.
Remediation for Mild Cognitive Deficits After Cancer
Cognitive RemediationBreast CancerCancer survival rates have improved significantly over the past decades and patients now experience a number of side effects including cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI): problems with memory, executive function, attention, and difficulties performing two tasks at the same time. The frequency of CRCI in cancer patients is estimated to be between 10 to 40%, and more than 50% of patients describe difficulties in their daily life. These cognitive difficulties negatively impact the patient's quality of life as well as that of their family, and can also have negative consequences for their social and professional reintegration once cancer treatment is finished. Despite an increasing number of studies on CRCI, a standard of care for patients with CRCI after breast cancer is yet to be established. In the absence of clear directives, and in an attempt to respond to the increasing demand to provide care for breast cancer patients with CRCI, physical medicine and rehabilitation units in France have started providing day-hospital multidisciplinary interventions. The objective of this project is to use the single case experimental design method to investigate the efficacy of two such rehabilitation programs: a group-based program and a one-on-one program.
Auditory Slow Wave Enhancement in Parkinson Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Parkinson DiseaseMild Cognitive ImpairmentThe study aims to assess the efficacy of auditory slow-wave sleep (SWS) enhancement in PD patients and patients with amnestic MCI. Patients will be randomized to two groups: Group 1 will first be treated with auditory stimulation for two weeks and then - after a washout period - switched to two weeks of sham stimulation. Group 2 will first receive sham stimulation for two weeks and then - after a washout period - switch to two weeks of auditory stimulation treatment. The washout period in between will be 2-4 weeks.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease (TRAP-AD)
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentAlzheimer DiseaseThis multi-site study will be the first to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of t-PBM in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) and early Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (CDR of 0.5-1, FAST 1-4; age 65-85) in a randomized clinical trial of 8 weeks of t-PBM vs. sham. At baseline, all subjects will complete initial neuropsychological testing. To elucidate mechanisms of action of t-PBM, prior to treatment, subjects will undergo neuroimaging related to critical features of AD: tau 18F MK-6240 load (PET), measures of brain bioenergetics (31P-MRS), and functional connectivity (rs-fMRI). After undergoing target engagement testing (t-PBM session performed during fMRI to detect BOLD changes with active t-PBM), subjects will then be randomized to t-PBM/sham and complete 24 t-PBM/sham treatments, ~11 min per day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks. t-PBM will be administered via continuous, 808 nm wavelength laser delivery to the forehead bilaterally (at standard EEG electrode positions F4, F3).
Cognitive Remediation in Forensic Mental Health Care
Psychotic DisordersADHD10 moreForensic patients often display cognitive deficits, particularly in the domain of executive functions, that represent a challenge to forensic rehabilitation. One empirically-validated method to train executive functions is cognitive remediation, which consists of cognitive exercises combined with coaching. This trial investigates whether cognitive remediation can improve cognitive, functional, and clinical outcomes in forensic inpatients.
Trial of CORT108297 to Attenuate the Effects of Acute Stress in the Allocortex (CORT-X)
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentAlzheimer Disease1 moreCORT-X will examine if mitigation of stress-mediated pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a feasible target for intervention in individuals at risk for this disease. This single-site (Baltimore, Maryland) phase II clinical trial is a 2-week, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study of the effects of the selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, CORT108297, on cognitive test performance in 26 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD and in 26 cognitively normal individuals with an increased risk for AD due to family history, genetics, and/or subjective memory complaints. All subjects will participate in a brief stressor (public speaking and mental arithmetic) and provide saliva samples so investigators can measure stress hormone response. Then, following 2 weeks of treatment with placebo or CORT108297, in counterbalanced order, participants will complete cognitive tests assessing memory and executive function. All study participants will receive CORT108297 and placebo over the course of this 10-week trial that requires 6 in-person study visits. The primary aims will compare the effects of CORT108297 to placebo on cognitive test performance in individuals with MCI due to AD and in individuals at risk for AD, and describe the side effects of CORT108297 in study participants. Secondary aims will identify subject characteristics that predict positive response to study drug.
Effects of Pomegranate Seed Oil and Mediterranean Diet on MCI
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentA double-blind clinical trial of pomegranate oil and Mediterranean diet that will be carried out on 60 patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and APOE ε3 and ε4 allele. The aim of the research is to examine if the Mediterranean diet with pomegranate oil and without it can bring positive changes in patients with MCI in terms of motor and cognitive skills.
A Study to Assess Safety and Target Engagement of E2814 in Participants With Mild to Moderate Cognitive...
Alzheimer DiseaseThe primary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of intravenous (IV) infusions of E2814 in participants with dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease (DIAD), and to evaluate target engagement (TE) of E2814 on microtubule binding region (MTBR)-tau species in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in participants with DIAD.