
Examining the Effect of High-Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Cognitive Function Limitations and...
HIV InfectionsCognitive ImpairmentPeople aging with HIV are at higher risk for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and although physical activity is a promising target to mitigate such risk, this population engages in low levels of physical activity. Few studies have tested cognitive effects of exercise interventions or examined mechanisms of adherence to long-term exercise among diverse samples of midlife and older people with HIV. The current study will leverage an existing R01 to address these gaps and provide implications for development of personalized approaches for the treatment and prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia in older people with HIV.

Long-Term Functional, Quality-of-Life, Neuropsychological and Cognitive Outcomes in COVID-19 Critical...
Covid19ARDS2 moreThe corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), suddenly incepted in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, leading to one of the greatest health care emergencies of the last century. Acute exacerbation of the COVID-19 can develop to an ARDS in a significant proportion of hospitalized cases, leading to invasive mechanical ventilation requirement and in some cases even mandating use of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. Being a disease having affected up to 15'581'009 as of July 25th, with more than 635'173 deaths, the long-term repercussions are of foremost importance. Health care systems world-wide will be faced with the aftermath of COVID-19, and optimal understanding of the long-term progression of COVID-19 may aid in a better care of critically ill patients and enable specifically targeted rehabilitation programs to improve outcomes. Primary objective of this study is to assess the repercussions of COVID-19 induced critical illness on long-term functional status, quality-of-life, neuropsychology and cognition

Prospective Evaluation on Cognitive Function and Its Associated Genetic Vulnerability in Cannabis...
Cannabis UseNeurocognitive Dysfunction1 moreMost of the studies assessing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and neurocognitive functions are cross-sectional without examining the longitudinal changes in neurocognitive function at a within-subject level with respect to the continuum of cannabis use behavior, or mainly studying on the acute cannabis effect. As for the Genome-wide Association studies, the population analyzed for addressing the underlying genetic susceptibility between neurocognitive functions and/or cannabis use or CUD were almost exclusively based on African- or European- American samples or other Caucasian subjects, and thus generalizability to Chinese or to the non-Caucasian population definitely demands more studies. With the upsweeping statistical figures of cannabis use in Hong Kong and Asia, and the substantial falls in the perceived risk and personal disapproval from using cannabis amongst young abusers, coinciding the global advocacy of de-criminalizing cannabis and the increased availability of recreational cannabis worldwide, it is reasonable to predict that there will be a further upsurge in numbers of all aged cannabis users in Hong Kong as in the other part of the world. Therefore, the SToP-C-PeCoG study proposed here as a prospective study in assessing the longer term changes in neurocognitive functions and the associated genetic risks for those repeated and active cannabis users without psychiatric co-morbidity is definitely warranted. The PeCoG study will not only provide the scientific evidence to further unveil the harmful effects on neurocognitive functions for those self-perceived "healthy" users, but also help to raise the public awareness and to improve the understandings to the long-term detrimental effects of cannabis amongst users and non-users. Furthermore, it will provide a chance to study the associated genetic risks for cannabis abusers, in particular in the Asian minority and Chinese, on CUD and poorer neurocognitive outcomes, with genetic vulnerability being generalizable to the local population in Asia. The current study hypothesises that cannabis abusers have neurocognitive function decline over time, and genetic vulnerability is associated with cannabis abusers who have poorer neurocognitive outcomes or with the severity of CUD.

Major Memory 2: A Long-term Group Cognitive Stimulation Program
Neurocognitive DisordersDementia2 moreThis study aims to evaluate the effect of a long-term group cognitive stimulation (CS) program on the cognitive function of institutionalized elderly people with neurocognitive disorders. The study also aims to assess the program's feasibility in institutions located in the Portuguese town of Oliveira do Bairro. The investigators propose the realization of a quasi-experimental longitudinal study with a one-group pretest-posttest design. The subjects will participate in CS sessions as part of a group, once a week, for one year, while maintaining their usual care in the institution. The program will have 47 sessions, once per week, with 1 hour each. In each participating institution, one group will be formed. In groups composed by participants with mild neurocognitive disorder, the maximum number will be 10 participants per group, in groups composed by participants with major neurocognitive disorder, the maximum number will be 6 participants per group. In each institution, patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be selected to become part of a cognitive stimulation group program.

Effect of Surgeon Warm-up and Mental Visualisation During Robot-assisted Laparoscopic Surgery
Cognitive Deficit in AttentionMusculoskeletal Strain2 moreStudy Design - A Counterbalanced Study Aims - To determine the effect of a) warm-up exercises and b) mental visualisation on the musculoskeletal demands and cognitive demands respectively during robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Outcome Measures - EMG measurements of frequency and amplitude across muscle fibres. EEG measurements of peak alpha power, and alpha spindle duration and amplitude. Study Participants and Eligibility - Surgeons who have certificates of completion of training (CCT) and performing surgical procedures using the minimally invasive techniques of RALS. Planned Size of Sample - The investigators have chosen the higher value for our power calculation (an effect size of 0.24) which requires 10 surgeons per condition performing 1 -2 operations for 80% power to detect a difference between conditions, at an alpha of 0.05. Planned Study Period-Duration - Each surgeon will be required to participate in the study for approximately 3 - 4 weeks performing 3 surgical procedures and based on estimates that surgeons routinely perform an average of 1 robotic procedure per week we anticipate the study will run for 6 months. Research Question - Does structured simulated warm-up exercises prior to performing surgery improve surgeons' ergonomic awareness and maintain the low muscle fatigue impact associated with RALS? The investigators also hypothesize that mental imagery, inducing a flow state associated with overall cortical synchronisation could decrease cognitive demands experienced by surgeons and potentially mitigate against the cognitive fatigue surgeons experience whilst performing procedures.

Evaluating Novel Healthcare Approaches to Nurturing and Caring for Hospitalized Elders
DeliriumNeurocognitive Disorders8 moreThe goal of this clinical trial is to compare the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) with a family-augmented version of HELP (FAM-HELP), that includes family members and care partners, for the prevention of delirium in older patients during hospital admission. The main objectives of the trial are the following: To compare the effectiveness of FAM-HELP and HELP in reducing both the incidence of delirium and its severity. To compare the effectiveness of FAM-HELP and HELP in improving patient- and family-reported outcomes. To explore the implementation context, process, and outcomes of the FAM-HELP program in diverse hospital settings.

Alternative Treatments To Prevent Cognitive Decline in Older Adults With Depression and Anxiety...
Depression Anxiety DisorderMajor depression and anxiety disorders are leading causes of disability worldwide. These mental disorders deeply impact social functioning and physical health in more than 300,000-600,000 Canadians over the age of 60. Depressed and anxious older adults have a 2-3 times increased risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a group meditation intervention that has been beneficial in treating depression and anxiety in younger adults. Our research group has experience conducting clinical trials of MBCT in older adults with depression and anxiety. Meditation therapies may prevent cognitive decline, but no previous study has examined this with MBCT. In this 8-week clinical trial, Investigators are examining whether MBCT can strengthen the structural and functional integrity of brain networks and improve cognitive resilience in vulnerable depressed and anxious older adults. Investigators will also examine whether MBCT can improve depression, anxiety symptoms, disability, and quality of life in patients. Investigators will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT), comparing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT; n=15) versus a Health Enhancement Program (HEP; n=15) active control in 30 older patients (>60) with depression or anxiety. Participants will be blinded to the treatment hypothesis while investigators and raters will be additionally blinded to group assignment. Both MBCT and HEP will be taught in weekly sessions over 8 weeks in similar sized groups (4-10 participants). Investigators will measure the effect of these interventions on brain network function and structure using magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 8-week timepoints. Investigators will also assess cognitive functioning and a range of clinical symptoms/quality of life measures at baseline, 8-week and 6-month follow-up. Investigators anticipate that this project will improve quality of life in depressed and anxious older adults by enhancing brain resilience, cognitive function, and general mental health. This project will provides essential pilot data for a longer-term definitive neuroimaging trial of MBCT to assess the potential of this intervention to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.

Clinical Intervention on Cognitive Impairment of Schizophrenia With Metabolic Syndrome
SchizophreniaThis is a single-center, randomized, parallel-control study conducted in schizophrenic inpatients with metabolic syndrome who have been conducted with olanzapine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, Xbox aerobic exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation( tDCS). Following a screening period, subjects who meet the entry criteria will be randomized to treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids1.2mg per day, Xbox aerobic exercise 30min per day and tDCS at 2mA, 20 min(5 session/week) for 12 weeks.

Treating Verbal Memory Deficits Following Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer TreatmentCognitive DeficitsThe primary purpose of this study is to test the effects of a targeted, computerized cognitive training program on verbal memory in older women who have undergone chemotherapy treatment for early-stage breast cancer. As measured by neuropsychological assessment, this treatment will result in improved verbal memory. Secondarily, processing speed and naming abilities are expected to improve. Enhanced self-perception of cognitive ability is also expected.

The Digital Memory Notebook
Prodromal Alzheimer's DiseaseMild Cognitive Impairment1 moreCompensatory aids (e.g., alarms, calendars) play an important supporting role when completing everyday tasks (e.g., appointments, medication management), and there is a growing body of scientific work suggesting that compensatory training improves daily functioning. However, traditional paper-based calendars and to-do-lists have limitations related to accumulation of information, difficulty retrieving information, and remembering to complete activities. Such limitations may be overcome using a digital format through organized digital files, search functions, and alarms. This pilot project proposes to train older adults at risk for cognitive decline to use the Digital Memory Notebook (DMN), a tablet-based application (app), to support everyday functioning. The primary goal is to obtain preliminary evidence that a 6-week, individual and group-based DMN training intervention results in demonstrable changes in target behaviors (e.g., goal-directed DMN use to support everyday activities) among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Participants will complete a curriculum involving 2-hour weekly sessions for 6-weeks. Each week will cover a specific function of the DMN and will include standardized goal-setting and weekly homework targets. Following the 6-week intervention, participants will continue to use the DMN app for 4-weeks to evaluate stability. Participants will complete a questionnaire packet 1 week prior to the 6-week intervention, 1 week after the 6-week intervention, and 5 weeks following the 6-week intervention. MCI and SCC participants will complete separate 6-week individual or group interventions spaced two months apart at UCD.