
Memantine (10mg BID) for the Frontal and Temporal Subtypes of Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontal Lobe DementiaFrontotemporal Lobe Dementia1 moreThe primary objective of the study is to determine whether memantine is effective in slowing the rate of behavioral decline in frontotemporal dementia. The secondary objective of the study is to assess the safety and tolerability of long-term treatment with memantine in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) or semantic dementia (SD). To determine whether memantine is effective in slowing the rate of cognitive decline in frontotemporal dementia. To evaluate whether memantine delays or decreases the emergence of parkinsonism in frontotemporal dementia. The tertiary objective of the study is to determine whether treatment with memantine affects changes in weight

Efficacy and Safety of Rivastigmine Capsules in Patients With Probable Vascular Dementia
Vascular DementiaThe goal of this research study is to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of rivastigmine capsules in males and females between the ages of 50 and 85 years old with probable vascular dementia.

Efficacy and Safety of the Rivastigmine Transdermal Patch in Patients With Probable Alzheimer's...
Alzheimer's DiseaseDementia1 moreThe goal of this research study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the rivastigmine transdermal patch in patients with probable Alzheimer's Disease.

Polarity Therapy for American Indian Caregivers of Dementia Patients
StressDepression1 moreThe purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of polarity therapy (PT), a complementary and alternative medicine treatment, in American Indian caregivers living in the Pacific Northwest.

Double Blind Trial of DC Polarization in FTD
DementiaThis project is designed to test how direct current (DC) electrical polarization of the brain affects language and behavior in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It causes profound disturbances of language and other cognitive functions and often results in highly disruptive behavior. There is no effective treatment for the behavioral disorder or cognitive deficits in FTD. In an earlier study, the researchers used DC polarization to the primary motor cortex to enhance prefrontal function in healthy subjects. The experiment resulted in greater verbal fluency. In a separate study of five patients with FTD, a similar effect on verbal fluency was produced. The object of the current study is to replicate these findings in a larger group of patients and to see if the results carry over into "real world" behavior. Participants will be 20 patients aged 35 to 75 years with FTD, referred to the Cognitive Neuroscience Section. Participants will be tested in two sessions, separated by at least 48 hours. In one session they will receive 40 minutes of anodal DC polarization; in the other they will receive 40 minutes of sham polarization. Participants will be tested for language, memory, and reaction time before and 20 minutes after the polarization. For the behavior portion of the study, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory will be completed by an investigator with the caretaker on admission (covering the preceding week) and again, by telephone, 1 week after discharge, to cover the first week home. Participants will receive no lasting benefit as a result of the study, but the study is likely to yield generalizable knowledge on the effects of DC polarization treatment in FTD.

Methylphenidate for Apathy in Alzheimer's Dementia: A Controlled Study
Alzheimer's DiseaseApathy1 moreThe purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of methylphenidate over placebo in treating apathy in patients with Alzheimer's dementia. Apathy is one of the earliest and most profound disturbances that occur in Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Hypotheses: 1. Methylphenidate (MPH) will improve apathy significantly more than placebo in AD. 2. Successful treatment of apathy will improve Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and caregiver burden.

A Double-blind Study of E2020 (Donepezil Hydrochloride) in Patients With Dementia With Lewy Bodies...
Dementia With Lewy Bodies (DLB)The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of E2020 in patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).

Behavioral Sleep Intervention in Adult Family Homes
DementiaSleep disturbances are widespread among demented residents of board and care homes and are a leading cause for transfer into nursing homes. This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 4-week Sleep Education Program (SEP) for demented residents of board and care homes who are experiencing sleep disturbances. Residents of adult family homes (board and care homes with 2-6 residents) will be randomized into SEP or usual care control. Analysis of outcomes will determine whether the SEP is feasible and effective in adult family home settings, and whether the SEP delays transition into higher levels of institutional care.

Parallel Group, Placebo-Controlled, Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy Study of OPC-14117 in HIV...
Cognitive DisordersHIV InfectionsTo assess the tolerability and safety of OPC-14117. To evaluate effects of OPC-14117 on cognitive function, quality of life, and activities of daily living.

Pain Management and Behavioral Outcomes in Patients With Dementia
DementiaAlzheimer Disease3 moreDementia illness often co-exists with painful medical conditions associated with aging (e.g., degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, skin ulcers, back pain, headaches, cancer, or angina). While the standard practice is pain assessment for all patients, the elderly with dementia have special needs for assessment, management, and evaluation. When they are unable to verbalize pain, objective measurement of their discomfort are possible manifestations of pain. No research relates systemic pain treatment with reduction of negative problematic behaviors in patient dementia.