View clinical trials related to Alzheimer's Disease.
Filter by:Over 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative condition, affecting also close to 15 million family caregivers (CG). Sleep efficiency in AD patients is severely impaired and complicated by frequent night awakenings and nocturnal restlessness. Untreated sleep disruption in AD patients is associated with increased rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms, daytime napping, 'sundowning' behaviors, cognitive and functional decline, and morbidity and mortality. The added strain of sleep disruption is the primary reason family caregivers make the decision to institutionalize AD patients. The circadian abnormalities in the sleep-wake cycle commonly observed in AD patients occur more often in individuals with hypothalamic/ pituitary/adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. HPA axis hyperactivity may influence diurnal sleep-wake activity by diminishing an AD patient's ability to respond to external zeitgebers which, in turn, can further propagate HPA axis dysfunction. Thus, interventions to normalize diurnal HPA axis patterns may be beneficial in treating sleep-wake disturbances. Nonpharmacologic treatments are the first line therapy in AD patients with sleep wake problems, given the ineffective and potentially harmful effects of pharmacologic agents. Current clinical sleep hygiene practices in institutional (e.g., nursing home) settings holds promise for reducing disruptive sleep by reestablishing circadian patterns in HPA functioning. These interventions include use of timed and planned activities during daylight hours and creating a relaxing environment in the evening. However little systematic work has been done to determine the efficacy of these interventions in the home setting (where most individuals with AD reside). We propose a pilot study to (a) characterize objective sleep parameters and behavioral symptoms of sleep-wake disturbance, and biological indicators of diurnal HPA axis activity in a sample of community residing older adults with AD: (b) examine the effects of timed and planned activities on subjective and objective characteristics of sleep, behavioral symptoms, and HPA status; and (c) evaluate measurement approaches in home-dwelling AD patients. Subjective (CG questionnaires) and objective (wrist actigraphy) characteristics of sleep and behavioral symptoms will be measured in fifty-four AD patients being cared for at home by a family. Patients and CG with then be randomized to receive an intervention of timed, planned activities (TPA) or attention control (AC) condition. We will also obtain diurnal measures of HPA activity including salivary cortisol and alpha amylase.
This study will investigate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of ABT-354 in up to 20 male and female subjects, between 55 to 90 years of age with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease on stable doses of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
This research is being conducted to study whether rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) could be potentially used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. rTMS is a technique that stimulates the brain by rapidly switching a magnetic field in a coil placed over your head. Prior to rTMS, single pulse TMS will be used to localize the specific brain region that we are interested in.
Our previous findings support the notion that group activity program, based on cognitive stimulation, recreational-occupational activities and physical-psychomotor exercises, can lead to an improvement in behavioral aspects for people with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The purpose of this study is to clarify the efficacy of a rehabilitation program in outpatients affected by AD in mild to moderate stages.
Study 18F-AV-45-010 is designed to evaluate the cerebral uptake of florbetapir 18F as measured by PET imaging in frontotemporal disorder (FTD) in comparison to cognitively normal volunteers and subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common dementing disorder of later life, is a major cause of disability and death in the elderly. Although a number of theoretical causes exist, the etiology of AD is still unknown. Consequently, the focus of treatments has been palliative, designed to ameliorate AD symptoms. Recent efforts, however, have revealed some surprising data suggesting that cholinesterase inhibitors (AchEIs), used over the last decade, and recently released memantine (an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist), may confer protection to neurons. Thus, they may offer a slowing of cognitive decline and/or improvement in behavioral symptoms associated with memory impairment. Over the last decade, it has been well documented that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increases the risk of conversion to AD and that coincident depression and MCI (Dep-MCI) further increases the risk 2 to 3 fold. The primary focus of this line of investigation is to treat the very high risk to dement patient population with Dep-MCI, before they develop AD, in the hopes of delaying AD onset. Memantine had not been studied in DEP-MCI patients. Since treatment of these patients with combined antidepressant and AChEIs has been associated with cognitive improvement in pilot studies, we explore whether treatment of DEP-MCI with memantine in addition to antidepressant treatment would benefit cognitive performance and lead to a low rate of conversion to dementia. We evaluate the cognitive and antidepressant benefit of combined open-label es-citalopram and memantine treatment over 48 weeks in a DEP-CI sample.
Background: - The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) is a long-term study of human aging. To see how the brain changes with age, researchers will study BLSA participants who are at least 60 years old. In particular, researchers are looking for early markers of possible Alzheimer's disease and other conditions that cause memory loss. To do so, they will give tests of memory and brain function, and stay in close contact with participants. Objectives: - To study cognitive changes that occur in normal aging and in people who develop memory problems. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 60 years of age who are participating in the BLSA. Design: - There are three parts to this study. These study procedures will be done under the usual BLSA guidelines. - Participants will take paper and pencil tests. The tests measure skills such as language, attention, memory, and problem solving. They will also ask questions about emotions and feelings. - Participants will give the name and phone number of a person who knows them well and sees them often. Researchers will ask this person to fill out questionnaires on the effects of aging on the participant. These questions will monitor the participant's memory and ability to function independently. - Participants will have regular phone calls between study visits. These calls will help to keep their information up to date. - Participants will continue on this study for as long as they are able to participate.
Alzheimer's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, for which there is currently no effective treatment to slow or halt progression. Beta amyloid peptide accumulates in the brains of those with Alzheimer's, and is thought to play a major role in triggering the dementia. The investigators recently characterized a molecular pathway by which ß-amyloid damages neurons, and showed that the protein termed Fyn kinase is crucial. Our data suggest that blocking Fyn will have a significant therapeutic benefit for Alzheimer's. Astra Zeneca has developed a blocker of Fyn and related kinases (AZD0530) for the treatment of cancer. Chronic AZD0530 administration is well tolerated in humans, and the investigators propose to test its potential as a novel Alzheimer's disease modifying therapy. This study will assess the safety and tolerability of AZD0530 in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
To compare the efficacy of 2 fixed doses of brexpiprazole with placebo in participants with agitation associated with dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
This is a Phase 1, single center, open-label, non-randomized, clinical study in probable AD patients and HVs to evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of a single dose of MNI-672. The underlying goal of this study is to assess MNI-672 SPECT imaging as a tool to detect ß amyloid deposition in the brain of AD research participants and young healthy male subjects. All study procedures will be conducted at Molecular NeuroImaging (MNI) in New Haven, CT. Approximately 3 patients with AD and 3 young male HVs will be recruited to participate in this study. HVs will be screened to ensure that there is no evidence of cognitive decline or significant neurological deficit. All eligible subjects will be required to visit the study center on at least 2 occasions: 1. for one or more screening visits which should include a history and physical examination, laboratory and extensive neuro-psychological testing and MRI brain scanning. AD subjects will also undergo Amyvid PET imaging as part of the Screening Visit. 2. on one day for baseline examinations and MNI-672 administration and subsequent SPECT scanning- followed by safety measures