Active clinical trials for "Cognitive Dysfunction"

Brain scans can help identify changes that appear to increase risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Some of these brain changes are thought to reflect actual damage to the small blood vessels that support normal brain function. This clinical trial will determine whether an omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) therapy can promote brain health by supporting the small blood vessels in the brain over 3 years in older adults at high risk for cognitive decline and dementia of Alzheimer's type.

- Cognitive changes are related to aging, affecting the performance of older patients in the solution of problems and the execution of tasks. This phenomenon has been observed as a decline of neurophysiological domains, especially memory, and the velocity of thought. Anesthesia and surgery performed contributes to its development then, is named post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). The incidence varies due to conditions of: Anesthesia and surgery. The time elapsed after surgery. The population studied, and the type of cognitive test employed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes around the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ-E) after ketamine administration on ophthalmic surgery on the common conditions of geriatric patients, -comorbid and settings as minor surgery-.

This project will examine the relationship between physical activity levels, brain structure and memory function in adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) aged 60 to 75. The study will follow 30 adults with age-associated memory impairment or MCI over the course of 18 months. During this time, subjects' physical activity levels will be measured regularly and related to both the thickness their hippocampus and to their memory performance. Subjects will be recruited and screened for major health problems at UCLA. Physical activity will be tracked for two weeks using accelerometers at baseline and every 6 months during the study. At baseline and at the end of the study, subjects will undergo a structural MRI brain scan to measure hippocampal thickness, as well as a neuropsychological evaluation to measure memory function. The study will seek to determine the relationship between physical activity level, hippocampal thickness and memory performance in older adults with age-associated memory impairment.

This research study evaluates the effect of chemotherapy on cognition (thinking) and the brain in people with breast cancer.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a significant risk factor for dementia. Persons with MCI experience cognitive changes, most typically affecting memory; that are greater than those experienced in "normal" aging. However, these cognitive changes in MCI, unlike in dementia, are not significant enough to markedly interfere with functional independence. In addition to cognitive change, some people with MCI also experience elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety, which adds to their risk of developing dementia. Close family are also impacted by their relative's MCI and show mild physical (e.g., increased incidence of systemic health problems such as high blood pressure) and mental health declines (e.g., elevated symptoms associated with depression and anxiety) that are similar, though not as severe, to those experienced by caregivers of a relative with dementia. Programs aimed at behavioural intervention have real potential to reduce and/or prevent negative health outcomes associated with MCI and future dementia by promoting positive behaviour changes. We wish to scientifically establish the utility of a behavioural intervention aimed at addressing the needs of both the person with MCI and their close family member, with the ultimate goal of lowering current and future susceptibility to mental health declines and chronic disease in people living with MCI. We have an 8 session (16 hour) program, where participants with MCI and their close relative are together for the first half of each session, which is devoted primarily to enabling positive lifestyle choice. In the second hour the group splits up, with MCI clients engaging in memory training while their close family member participates in a psychosocial intervention.

The potential for nattokinase to "thin" blood and to reduce blood clotting by positive antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects presents a unique opportunity to safely study such effects on cardiovascular disease and cognition. Unfortunately, such studies of antithrombotic and fibrinolytic pathways of prevention have been limited due to lack of safe compounds and the adverse reactions associated with current agents such as Coumadin. Nattokinase, an over-the-counter supplement used for cardiovascular health, is the most active functional constituent of natto, a fermented soy product. Natto has been consumed primarily by the Japanese for over 1000 years, a population with one of the lowest risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Cardiovascular disease and dementia remain the most challenging age-related health risks of the 21st century for Americans necessitating development of further effective preemptive strategies. Whether reducing the propensity for thrombus formation and/or increasing fibrinolytic activity can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline has not yet been determined. Using nattokinase under primary prevention conditions, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether decreasing atherothrombotic risk can reduce the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. The investigators propose to randomize 240 healthy non-demented women and men to nattokinase supplementation or to placebo for three years. The primary trial end points will be measurement of carotid arterial wall thickness and arterial stiffness, early changes of atherosclerosis that can be measured safely by non-invasive imaging techniques. The secondary trial end point will be ascertained through change in cognition measured by a neuropsychological battery. In addition, biochemical blood measurements and in vitro studies will be conducted to compare the effects of nattokinase relative to placebo on blood coagulation and thrombus break-down capabilities, blood flow properties, inflammation and inflammatory activation of endothelial cells that line blood vessels. At the conclusion of this trial, the investigators expect to have sufficient evidence as to whether reducing the propensity for thrombus formation and/or increasing fibrinolytic activity can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. These results will provide novel and important data that will be informative concerning primary prevention through the atherothrombotic pathway. Providing evidence for a reduction in atherosclerosis progression and cognitive decline with nattokinase is likely to shift the current clinical paradigm for the prevention of these chronic age-related processes. In addition, such evidence will serve to create a new field of discovery and opportunity for prevention of cardiovascular disease and dementia.

To assess if PF-04958242 can attenuate the ketamine-induced cognitive impairment in verbal learning and memory, episodic memory and spatial working memory in healthy volunteers.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common combat related problems and may be associated with a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study is to examine the possible connections between TBI and PTSD, and the signs and symptoms of AD on Veterans as they age. The information collected will help to learn more about how these injuries may affect Veterans of the Vietnam War as they grow older, as well as Veterans of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who also have these types of combat related injuries.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease starting point characterized by multiple systemic effects as cognitive dysfunction. This one seems to have an impact in activity daily living, considered mainly as a cognitive-motor dual task situations. Yet to date, no study has specifically focused in the cognitive-motor performance in patients with COPD or on the effects during a rehabilitation program. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of cognitive dysfunction in COPD, comparing performance between COPD patients and healthy subjects in a single and dual task cognitive-motor situation. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of a rehabilitation program on these performances.

The main goal of this project is to identify and remediate the cognitive difficulties, including processing speed and attention deficits in individuals who have undergone chemotherapy treatment. Recent research has demonstrated objective cognitive deficits following chemotherapy and that it is not an emotional reaction to the cancer diagnosis as it was once considered. There are a large number of woman diagnosed and treated for breast cancer that experience chemotherapy induced cognitive deficits. Subjects who participate in the study will be evaluated for cognitive abilities prior to chemotherapy treatment and after completion of chemotherapy. Participants will then have the option to participate in the second phase of the study, which involves the use of a computer-based Brain Fitness Program for 12 weeks. This is followed by another cognitive evaluation.