Active clinical trials for "Cognitive Dysfunction"

The long-term impact and effects of COVID-19 are still being determined. However, what is clear, is that some people are still struggling following a period of illness with COVID-19. Now known as 'long covid' or 'post covid-19 syndrome', people are not only experiencing physical symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness, but also psychological difficulties, as well as cognitive changes often referred to as 'brain fog'. This can include symptoms, such as changes in memory, difficulties with organisation and problem solving, as well as the ability to concentrate. Evidence from other research areas suggest that these changes could be due to shrinkage in areas of the brain that control functions like memory and concentration. There are also connections between different brain areas that work together to perform tasks such as remembering and concentrating, and these areas may also be affected by COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to scan the brains of patients reporting cognitive changes having been hospitalised with COVID-19 infection to see if any of these areas or connections have changed after infection and whether this might explain these cognitive changes.

The primary purpose of this study is to attempt to replicate and extend promising pilot findings regarding the cognitive benefits of in-home neuro-exergaming with iPACES (interactive Physical and Cognitive Exercise System v3) for persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to evaluate effects for persons with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Participants will include persons with PD, and potentially, also their co-residing partner, who will exercise at home or accessible location, 3-5 times per week for at least 6 months, with follow-up one month after the main intervention. All participation is "remote" (completed at home, or location of choice), utilizing either one's own equipment ("bring-your-own-devices" BYODs: pedaler, phone/tablet, smart-watch) or some equipment which may be supplied by the grant-funded study and shipped directly to the home; all study measures are completed remotely (e.g., via phone app, website, biometric device, videoconference, email, snail mail, etc.).

The goal of this clinical trial is to test 6 months of aerobic exercise in older adults who are 65 years or older and have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or probable/possible mild Alzheimer's Disease. The main questions it aims to answer are: test the effects of aerobic exercise on aerobic fitness, white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, and patient-centered outcomes; identify the best exercise to improve aerobic fitness and reduce non-responses over 6 months; and examines the mechanisms of aerobic exercise's action on memory in older adults with early AD. Participants will receive 6 months of supervised exercise, undergo cognitive data collection and exercise testing 5 times over a year span, have an MRI brain scan 3 times over a one-year span, and have monthly follow-up discussions on health and wellness.

Declines in cognitive function and walking function are highly intertwined in older adults. A therapeutic approach that combines complex (cognitively engaging) aerobic walking exercise with non-invasive electrical brain stimulation may be effective at restoring lost function. This study tests whether electrical stimulation of prefrontal brain regions is more beneficial than sham stimulation.

This study aims to investigate the effect of computerized vestibular function assessment and interactive training system, combined with cognitive/motor dual-task for the elderly with dizziness. The investigators will compare the movement abilities among older adults with different cognitive level, and further establish an assessment module that can evaluate participants' dual-task performance in both vestibular and cognitive tasks. Finally, leveraging the advantages of sensor detection technology and computerized feedback, an appropriate dual-task rehabilitation approach for vestibular function and cognition will be developed.

The objective of this clinical trial is to explore the efficacy of menopausal hormone therapy in early menopausal women with CSVD and MCI. The main questions it aims to answer are: The efficacy of menopausal hormone mainly estrogen therapy for early menopausal women with CSVD and MCI The role of MHT in delaying the progression of cognitive function, CSVD imaging features, and other clinical symptoms and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms. Participants will be divided randomly into two groups taking MHT drugs and placebo respectively and followed up for 12 months to collect relevant clinical data.

Sleep apnea is characterized by temporary pauses or stops to participant's breathing. Currently, sleep apnea is diagnosed using an in-lab sleep study, which involves spending a night in a sleep laboratory hooked up to wires on the head, chest, and legs. However, this is not feasible for many older adults. To overcome this barrier, the investigators will utilize an investigational vital signs monitor - the Advanced NeoNatal Epidermal (ANNE) Vital Sign System (Sibel Health, Evanston, IL,USA). The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that sleep apnea is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in older adults at risk for dementia. The investigators will measure sleep apnea at baseline and 12 months later and relate this to cognitive function at the same time points. Sex-stratification will be used in analyses as appropriate. Qualitative feedback forms will be used to collect information about participant ease of use and experience with the ANNE Vital Sign System.

Previous research has shown that a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, physical and social activity, and management of vascular risk factors can support both cardiovascular and brain health. In a landmark Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), a multimodal lifestyle programme had clear benefits on older adults' cognition, functioning, and quality of life. The LETHE study utilises novel technologies and digital tools to deliver an optimised and more personalised FINGER-type multimodal lifestyle intervention. A total of 160 digitally skilled older adults (age 60-77) with risk factors for dementia but without substantial cognitive impairment will be recruited in Austria, Finland, Italy, and Sweden. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the structured ICT-assisted multimodal lifestyle program (intervention group) or a self-guided lifestyle program (control group). Duration of the study and the intervention is 24 months. The multimodal lifestyle program covers the following domains: physical activity, nutrition, cognitive activity, vascular risk management, social interaction, sleep, and relaxation. The structured intervention program follows a hybrid model where regular in-person, individual and group-based intervention activities led by professionals are supported with activities in the LETHE mobile phone application. The self-guided (control) group receives relevant health advice and is recommended and encouraged to independently implement healthy lifestyle changes that are suitable and fit in with their daily routine. Control group will have access to a simplified version of the LETHE app without any structured, scheduled activities or personalized content. The primary objective of the LETHE trial is to test the feasibility of a digitally supported multimodal lifestyle program (i.e., retention rate, adherence to intervention), and assess change in dementia risk based on validated risk scores (CAIDE, LIBRA). Other objectives include testing the intervention effects on lifestyle and risk factors, cognition, function, health-related quality of life, health literacy, physical functioning, and dementia-related biomarkers. To this aim, a range of personal, lifestyle, and health-related data will be collected both actively and passively with the help of digital devices. Attitudes towards digital tools and experiences of trial participation will also be explored.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) refers to the difficulties of orientation, cognition, communication, memory and abstract thinking of patients after anesthesia and surgery. And/or accompanied by the decline of the ability in social activities, such as the change of personality, social ability of language and behavior, cognitive function and life skills. POCD is a common complication of central nervous system in elderly patients after operation, with an early incidence of about 21% and a long-term incidence of about 35% . According to the current research on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and POCD in the elderly, it has been found that they have similar pathological basis and some homologous related genes. Altogether, POCD is closely related to molecular pathway neuropsychiatric diseases (such as dementia, depression and Alzheimer's disease). Researchers have come up with various hypotheses to reveal the underlying mechanisms of POCD, including neuritis, oxidative stress, autophagy disorder, synaptic dysfunction, and lack of neurotrophic support. To date, apart from evaluating with scales, CT Scan and EEG analysis, there is neither exact biomarkers for monitoring and diagnosing POCD, nor clear relationships between specific Brain Metabolomic Characteristics, EEG changes and diagnosis of POCD, so that the diagnosis of early POCD only stays in the evaluation of clinical symptoms and scales. Therefore, our study aims to provide an effective basis for early diagnosis and treatment of clinical POCD through multivariate analyses of clinical scales combined with Brain Metabolomic Characteristics, EEG analysis of patients.

The GW SMHS supports research in complementary and integrative approaches to treatment of sickness and disease and for health promotion. Sometimes, research may involve asking questions of patients, students, and health providers. In this study, individuals are being asked to participate in this study as either 1) a healthy volunteer, 2) a person with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or 3) a person with early Alzheimer's disease (eAD). We are trying to learn more about if the gut microbiome (the microbes that live in our digestive tract) of individuals with eAD, MCI, and healthy controls are altered following lifestyle changes. This research will provide the pilot data to begin to understand if these changes in the gut microbiome are beneficial to health and/or may slow or halt the progression of MCI or early Alzheimer's.