Active clinical trials for "Dementia"

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) leads to an increase in cortical plasticity (change in motor evoked potentials (MEP) in mV).

Little is known about preventive strategies with immediate public health impact for cognitive functioning in the oldest-old (OO). Cognitive training improves cognitive functioning in the young-old (YO; 60 to 84), yet has not been examined in the OO. Clinical trials are needed to determine if computerized cognitive training is effective at preventing or delaying cognitive decline in the OO. In order to develop such trials, information regarding use of computers and internet by the OO, and the ability and interest in such a program, must be determined. This study will examine the effects of a computerized cognitive training program, CogniFit™, with a "classic" computerized games program, on cognitive functioning in cognitively healthy OO subjects. Information regarding use of computers and internet by the OO will be collected. Interest in and ability to complete a computerized cognitive training program will be examined, along with the cognitive, demographic, biological, and lifestyle characteristics related to this interest and ability. Efficacy of the CogniFit™ and games programs will be assessed immediately following the training and four months after completing the training. The researchers expect that those who use the CogniFit™ program will have greater improvements than those using the games program. Finally, the participants' characteristics related to the efficacy of the programs will be examined. Subjects recruited for this project will include those already participating in several studies of aging and cognition at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Recruiting from this pool of subjects will provide this program with baseline information regarding numerous subject characteristics, including cognition, family history, lifestyle, and cardiovascular information. This study will inform future large-scale clinical trials of computerized cognitive training programs in the elderly, as well as provide information regarding the efficacy of such training in the OO. In addition, the study will identify characteristics affecting efficacy of computerized training, and thus, may suggest mechanisms through which cognitive training improves cognitive functioning in the most senior citizens of our society.

The goal of this R21 study is to explore the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of individualized cognitive prescriptions (CogRxs) in improving engagement in healthy behaviors and other outcomes in middle-aged AAs and to gain feedback on future implementation of the program.

The purpose of this study is to determine if the daily performance of a 7 step bedtime nursing protocol for hospitalized people living with dementia is feasible and if it has an effect on bedtime and daytime variables.

The exponential rise in the number of persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) places a heavy burden on family caregivers. The caregiver role that extends well beyond the placement of the care recipient in long-term care is associated with chronic grief, depressive and anxiety symptoms, dissatisfaction with care, and conflict with long-term care facility staff. This study will test the effects of a cost effective chronic grief management intervention to be delivered using an online platform (Adobe Connect) and iPads. The study aims to decrease dementia caregivers' chronic grief, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and to improve their positive states of mind; to improve satisfaction with care post-placement and to attenuate caregivers' conflict with facility staff.

To observe the clinical efficacy of TCM acupuncture combined with western medicine nimodipine for prevention of post-stroke dementia by comparing with clinical conventional treatment methods.

Dementia patients experience memory and other cognitive function deterioration leading to loss of independent function. Care required for dementia is multifactorial, spanning cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical symptoms, and complicates aspects of daily living. This places tremendous strain on caregivers who, in turn, experience their own increased physical and mental health needs. The current care model focuses primarily on patient pharmacological management but misses the mark on caregiver focus and collaboration. Building on systematic reviews and existing evidence gaps in information and support for patient/caregiver dyads, dealing with behavioral symptoms, referrals to available community resources, and multidisciplinary team care with improved coordination and communication17, the study investigators propose a patient- and caregiver-targeted Integrated Dementia Practice Unit (IDPU) model of care. IDPU integrates disconnected care under a centralized specialty team, providing monitoring, education, individualized support, and proactive, ongoing collaboration and coaching using technology and home/virtual visits for maximal impact. Days alive at home (DAAH) best captures quality of life (QOL) for the index dementia patient, from the perspective of both the healthcare system and the caregiver, and degree of support for the caregiver and is often an outcome in assessing health delivery. The study investigators hypothesize IDPU will increase DAAH and improve patient-level (behavioral; depressive symptoms; chronic disease management) and caregiver-level (strain, depressive symptoms, social support) outcomes relative to an Educational+ model, merging a standard care design with additional education support for patients/caregivers and their Primary Care Providers (PCP). This study seeks to (a) improve and establish IDPU feasibility of the in the feasibility phase, (b) determine if IDPU is more effective than Education+ in increasing DAAH and patient- and caregiver-level outcomes, and (c) determine if benefits of IDPU are more or less pronounced in vulnerable subgroups in the full-scale study.

The primary goal of this study is to perform a 36-week pilot study with a cross-over design to study the safety and efficacy of a novel integrative exercise program called PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise). PLIÉ integrates elements of Eastern and Western exercise traditions and is specifically designed to target the muscles and movements needed to help individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia maintain physical function and independence.

Empathy, defined as the ability to understand others emotions, is a fundamental concept in social interactions. It is a psychological phenomenon involving various separable components : (i) the ability to feel and imagine the emotions, (ii) the ability to adopt the perspective of other people. Several neurological diseases with behavioral disorders may lead to impaired processing of social and/or emotional informations. These pathologies are likely to induce a lack of empathy that may result from impairments at different levels. The objective is simply to study how others' emotions are understood and how this allows for regulation of personal behavior. This study is being carried out among patients seen for various health problems and who can make behavior changes. This study could help to understand some neurological diseases and thereby to identify them earlier and/or to better differentiate them.

This study will recruit a total of 40 evaluable subjects (20 cognitively depressive, and 20 AD depressive); each evaluable subject involved in this study must fulfill all the inclusion and exclusion criteria according the subject grouping. Safety measurement will be evaluated by medical history, vital signs, physical examinations, laboratory examinations and collecting of adverse events. This study is expected to be completed in a period of 3 years.