
Collaborative Power Mobility Innovative Learning OpporTunity (CoPILOT) - A Pilot Study of a New...
Power WheelchairMild Cognitive Impairment1 moreLosing the ability to walk can lead to fewer opportunities to socialize with friends and family and participate in the community. When this happens, powered wheelchairs can provide access to homes and communities, contributing to health and well-being. Training by a qualified occupational therapist allows an individual to use a powered wheelchair safely and effectively. Learning to drive a powered wheelchair can be difficult, frustrating and time consuming for people with cognitive and physical challenges. In this study, we will ask participants with cognitive impairments to complete training with an occupational therapist using either a shared control wheelchair or training methods according to the standard of care. We believe shared control training, entitled Collaborative Powered mobility Innovative Learning OpporTunity (CoPILOT) will enhance driving skill while maximizing safety learning. CoPILOT has the potential to enable people to participate more in their day to day lives and regain mobility independence.

Ritalin, Memory and Attention in MCI: a Behaviour-EEG Study
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentTraditionally, memory impairments in the elderly population are treated using cholinesterase inhibitors, although impairments remain after treatment. Dopamine (DA) is also involved in cognition and is especially of interest in healthy ageing because of the role in processing speed and cognitive control. To what extent dopamine treatment improves memory and attention in older impaired individuals is unknown. However, such an effect is conceivable because of the close relationship between memory and attention in aging and since improved processing speed and cognitive control may lead to improved memory. The investigators aim to examine, in the impaired older population, whether a treatment using methylphenidate, a DA re-uptake inhibitor that enhances DA, improves attention and memory. The study will be conducted according to a cross-sectional, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-way cross-over design. 20 male and female patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), amnestic type, aged above 60 years of age; 20 male and female patients with MCI, non-amnestic type, will be recruited from the Orbis Medical Centre. Participants will be treated once with 20 mg methylphenidate (MPH) and once with placebo. All medications will be administered orally with a capsule. The treatment order will be established by counterbalancing.

Reducing Cancer Side-effects With Systematic Light Exposure
Cancer-related FatigueCancer-related Cognitive ImpairmentThe main purpose of this interdisciplinary proposal is to conduct two randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the efficacy of self-administered systematic light exposure (Bright White Light (BWL)), an innovative, low cost, and low burden intervention to treat cancer-related fatigue. Another common and often overlapping treatment side-effect is cognitive impairment. A secondary outcome of the proposed RCT is, thus, cognitive functioning. Finally, possible underlying chronobiological (circadian activity rhythms, sleep), biological (pro inflammatory markers), and neurophysiological (brain morphology) mechanisms of BWL will be explored.

The Relationship Between Metamemory and Memory in Old Age
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentThe purpose of this research is to explore the relationship of metamemory and memory of elders and to evaluate the effectiveness of a metamemory cognitive intervention on elders with mild cognitive impairment and low memory self-efficacy.

Ammonia Levels and Cognitive Impairment
DementiaCognitive Decline2 moreThe purpose and objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of elevated ammonia levels in subjects with cognitive impairment, and to observe if treating the cause of the elevated ammonia level improves mental status. This study does not include any imaging, treatment,or interventions, other than the blood draws. The blood draws will be taken to assess blood ammonia level and liver function. If the the ammonia level is not elevated, no further lab draws will occur. If the ammonia level is elevated, liver function is normal, and a cause for the high ammonia level is revealed with a plan for clinical treatment by the subjects' physician, then two more blood draws will occur; one prior to treatment, and one 3 months after treatment. The main risk to subjects is related to the blood draw (i.e. momentary discomfort, bruising, infection, bleeding, clotting or fainting), and there is a potential loss of confidentiality. A paired student t test will be done with the two later blood to compare objective data.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of a Cognitive Remedial Program (PROCOG-SEP) Designed for Multiple...
Cognitive DisordersMultiple SclerosisCognitive disorders are well-known in multiple sclerosis (MS), even in earlier stages of the disease. They effect personal life. Their management may be overlooked. The evidence-based program proposes exercises to both stimulate preserved functions and develop new abilities compensating for cognitive disabilities. Aim of the study is to evaluate the efficiency of the remedial program (PROCOG-SEP) designed for MS patients, compared to an interactive discussion program(DISINT) 140 multiple sclerosis patients will be randomly assigned in one the program for 13 sessions over a 6-month period. Main outcome criteria is evolution of SRT-LIST before and after program.

Clinical Testing of a D1 Agonist for Cognitive Enhancement in Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Cognitive ImpairmentsSchizotypal Personality DisorderCurrently, no study to date has directly tested a selective D1R agonist in relation to the cognitive impairment of Schizophrenia without the confound of neuroleptics. The investigators propose to examine the efficacy of DAR-0100A, a highly selective, full D1R agonist supported by pre-clinical and preliminary pilot clinical data, in ameliorating the cognitive deficits in Schizotypal Personality Disordered subjects receiving no medications including antipsychotics. The investigators hypothesize that 1) Baseline primary outcome measures will be impaired in Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) subjects compared to controls, 2) SPD subjects on DAR-0100A will show improvement on primary measures greater than healthy controls and SPD patients randomized to placebo, and 3) SPD patients will show significant improvements on primary outcome variables on drug compared to placebo.

A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Donepezil Adjunctive Treatment for Cognitive Impairment...
Impaired CognitionSchizophreniaThe objective of the study was to study the effects of donepezil on cognition in patients with schizophrenia. The investigators conducted a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of donepezil as adjunctive treatment to antipsychotic drugs on patients with schizophrenia.

Making Memory Better for Seniors With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentThe purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a cognitive training group in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment, using a new paradigm that will optimize ecological validity by (1) focusing on everyday memory problems, (2) supplementing traditional memory training with the teaching of an empirically-supported problem-solving approach, and (3) employing a clinically representative sample of individuals with MCI (e.g., not excluding those with mild affective symptoms).

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Apathy in Mild Cognitive Impairment:Pilot Study
ApathyMild Cognitive ImpairmentMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor of dementia. Apathy, a profound loss of motivation, is a common behavioral problem in MCI. Presence of apathy may increase the chance of MCI patients converting to Alzheimer's Dementia. Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive tool, has been recently approved for treatment of refractory depression. Since dysfunction in the frontal lobe of the brain is seen in patients with apathy, rTMS to the frontal lobe might be helpful in treating the same. Study hypotheses include that rTMS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) will improve apathy and executive function better than sham treatment in those with MCI