Active clinical trials for "Dementia"

Deep brain stimulation has been developed as a substitute for the classical lesioning methods previously used in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. Recent, anecdotal cases reports suggested that electrical stimulation of the cholinergic output of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert (NBM) may improve cognitive performances, especially the memory tasks. The present study aims to assess the effect of bilateral electrical stimulation of the NBM on the mnesic performance [assessed by the sum of the three free recalls of the Free and Cued Selective Recall Reminding Test (FCSRT)] in patients diagnosed with probable, moderate, Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Funded by a unique private philanthropy and public coalition through THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, this project seeks to develop effective ways to deliver dementia care to older adults with memory disorders who live in the community. MIND at Home is an 18 month intervention research study whose goals are two-fold: To partner with community organizations to help proactively identify older adults in the Baltimore community who may need help related to memory disorders; To find out if providing person-centered, coordinated care will help older adults with memory disorders remain at home longer, as well other possible benefits. The investigators hypothesize that individuals with memory disorders that receive person-centered, coordinated care will have fewer unmet dementia-related needs, improved quality of life and function, fewer behavioral and depressive symptoms, and will be able to remain in their homes longer compared to individuals who receive augmented usual care.

The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and the tolerability of NEUROSTEM®-AD (Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells) and to assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). This study is also to investigate the efficacy of this study drug in patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type.

The population of dementia is increasing rapidly. Cognitive impairment as well as Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) add heavy burdens to caregiver. NMDA activation is critical for learning and memory. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have fewer NMDA receptors in the frontal cortex and hippocampus than controls. This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled drug trial. All patients will be allocated randomly to two groups: (1) NMDA enhancer: DAOIB (starting dosage: 250-500 mg/day), (2) placebo, for 6 weeks. The investigators hypothesize that DAOIB may yield better efficacy than placebo for cognitive function and clinical symptoms in patients with BPSD.

The purpose of this study placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study is to assess the safety and efficacy of SYN120 in patients with Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) already treated with a stable dose of a cholinesterase inhibitor.

This is a phase II, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study to the efficacy and safety of low dose delta-9-THC in behavioural disturbances and pain in patients with mild to severe dementia, when added to an analgesic treatment with acetaminophen. It is hypothesized that Namisol® will lead to more behavioural disturbances than placebo, when added to an analgesic treatment with acetaminophen, and as measured by a change in Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) score, after a three week treatment period. It is expected that this will be due, primarily, to psychoactive effects of Namisol® and secondary to a reduction in pain sensation (as measured with VRS and PACSLAC-D). It is expected that a reduction in NPS will positively affect quality of life and lead to better functioning in daily living.

This study measures whether the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can be successfully treated by (a) biofeedback training to increase brain blood flow, (b) biofeedback to increase the frequency of the brain's dominant brainwave rhythm, and (c) rhythmic stimulation to increase the brain's dominant brainwave frequency.

The Allena-Mente study is a randomized, controlled, single-blind trial assessing the efficacy of cognitive stimulation (CS) compared to an active control group, participating to sanitary education lessons (AC). This non-pharmacological intervention is delivered to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and cognitively healthy individuals with first-degree relative with dementia (NDFAM).

Falls in the elderly are a very common and serious health problem with devastating consequences. Those with dementia are 5 times more likely to experience falls than older people without significant cognitive impairment. Despite a growing awareness and the use of available treatments, the number of falls and fall related injuries continue to increase. It is important to develop more effective treatments to help reduce the number of falls and prevent injury. The assessments used in this study determine fall risk which predicts the likelihood of falls in the future. This study will evaluate the possible role of Methylphenidate, Ritalin, in preventing falls and improving symptoms of apathy, or indifference. Methylphenidate is FDA approved for the treatment of ADHD but is not currently approved by the FDA for preventing falls or improving apathy(lack of interest) in the elderly. The methylphenidate used in this study will be absorbed through the skin by wearing a small patch near the hip area. The specific primary aim of this open label study is to determine if use of transdermal Methylphenidate (t-MPH) causes a reduction in fall risk in patients with dementia. The hypotheses to be tested is that after receiving t-MPH for 4 weeks, subjects will show improvement in gait and mobility assessment scores when compared to gait and mobility scores at screening.

Based on the literature on dementia and driving, and on knowledge tools available to date including one from our current work, a Driving in Mild Dementia Decision Tool (DMD-DT) will be adapted and tailored to guide physicians in their decisions to report a driver with mild dementia to the provincial licensing agency. The DMD-DT intervention will include a) an algorithm-based computerized clinical decision support system (CCDSS) for facilitating driving assessment and physicians' reporting to provincial transportation authorities, b) an individualized educational package for patients and caregivers about dementia and driving and driving cessation, and c) a modified reporting form to provincial driving regulatory authorities. Months 1 to 6: The DMD-DT will be tailored and adapted to practice with the input of the co-investigators and knowledge-users who represent the perspectives of physicians, patients and their caregivers, as well as transportation authorities. Pilot testing will be done, and input from focus groups of knowledge-users will refine the intervention. Physicians will be recruited to participate in a clinical trial of the DMD-DT. Months 7-18: A parallel-group cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted to compare the effects of the DMD-DT to a legislation reminder on recommendations for reporting to the licensing agency. The effects of the DMD-DT on the doctor-patient relationship will be further explored in focus groups and interviews with physicians. Months 19-24: The knowledge obtained from the study will be used to generalize and sustain use of the intervention beyond Ontario, Canada, and to disseminate the information to knowledge-users. The primary outcome measure is the filing of a report to the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, indicating that the physician has a concern about the patient's health condition (i.e. mild dementia). The primary outcome of the study is the difference in reporting between the DMD-DT and control arms. Since the current reporting rate is low, approximately 13%, from a public health point of view, the primary outcome expected is that physicians in the DMD-DT group will report more patients with mild dementia than those in the control group.