View clinical trials related to Cognitive Dysfunction.
Filter by:This multi-site clinical trial occurs at the University of Minnesota and University of Rochester. It tests the efficacy and additive/synergistic effects of an ACT intervention on cognition and relevant mechanisms (aerobic fitness, Alzheimer's disease [AD] signature cortical thickness, and default mode network [DMN]) in older adults with amnestic MCI (aMCI).
Chronic hepatitis HCV-related is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Italy. Patients with chronic hepatitis C present a prevalence of depressive disorders higher than that of the general population; moreover, it has been repeatedly demonstrated the presence of cognitive deficits and poor quality of life. Chronic hepatitis C therapy was based on the combined use of pegylated alpha-interferons (PEG-INF), and ribavirin. Recently, new therapeutic protocols have been introduced, and while some antiviral drugs, including the first-generation ones, were used only in combination with PEG-IFN and ribavirin, the second and third generation antiviral drugs protocols are interferon-free. However, because of the high cost, the access to interferon-free protocols is only for patients with advanced fibrous stages, or with concomitant extra-hepatic HCV-related diseases, or for transplanted patients. Many side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, and psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia) are common during antiviral therapy with IFN. However, in patients with chronic hepatitis C, a high lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and brief recurrent depression have been observed, irrespective of IFN treatment and the use of alcohol and narcotics; such associations between mood and anxiety disorders and chronic hepatitis C may reflect a high prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorders. The presence of severe psychopathological symptoms requires the reduction of posology and causes high rates of discontinuation of antiviral therapy. This project represents an innovative psychiatric and neuropsychological screening program for patients with chronic hepatitis C, eligible for antiviral therapy. 1. Primary objectives: 1. to verify the medium-term impact of new antiviral therapies on quality of life, psychological well-being and cognitive function in subjects with chronic hepatitis C; 2. to verify the predictability of specific psychopathological components and specific determinants on compliance with new antiviral therapies. 2. Main secondary objectives: 1. to verify the evidence of association between various psychiatric disorders and cognitive deficits and chronic hepatitis C; 2. to evaluate the relative weight of psychopathological and/or cognitive disorders on the efficacy of antiviral therapy and on quality of life.
This is a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group design study involving Vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia (VCIND) patients to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral NAC supplementation (2,400 mg daily) as an add-on therapy to improve cognitive function in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The CR program consists of a harmonized aerobic and resistance training in a supervised group setting. Eligible patients will be randomized to receive NAC (four 600 mg capsules given as 2 capsules in the morning and 2 capsules in the evening) or matching placebo capsules. The initial NAC dosage will be 600mg/day (one 600mg capsule in the morning) for the first week, followed by 1,200 mg/day (one 600 mg capsule in the morning, one 600mg capsule in the evening) for the second week, followed by 1,800 mg/day (two 600mg capsules in the morning, one 600mg capsule in the evening) for third week, followed by 2,400mg/day (two 600mg capsules in the morning, two 600mg capsules in the evening) for the following 21 weeks.
Background: There is epidemiological evidence or link ambient air pollution exposure to the incidence of dementia. Aims or hypotheses: It is hypothesized that reduction in indoor pollutants from air purification improves endothelial function and carotid intima thickness in older diabetic people with cognitive impairment. Subjects and method: People with clinically diagnosis mild cognitive impairment or early dementia will be recruited. After obtaining written consent, the subjects will be assessed cognitive function and arterial health. After baseline measurements, the subjects are randomly assigned to have either filter or no filter installed in the air purifier. The air purifier will be placed in living room of the household of the subject for one year. At one year, the measurements will be repeated. Statistical analysis: Intention to treat analysis will be adopted.
This study concerns elderly patients with cancer with onco-geriatric assessment. This study propose to associate the collection of the results with the Mini-Cog and the CODEX with the passing of the MoCA and the MMS tests, as well as a neuropsychological assessment, in order to determine if the patients have cognitive impairments, to evaluate the sensitivity of these 4 screening tests in elderly patients seeking treatment for their cancer. The results of this study will make it possible, where appropriate, to adapt the practice in the context of oncogeriatric assessment.
PRETEC-ABC aims to assess the effect of a new form of cognitive remediation, Action-Based Cognitive Remediation (ABCR), in patients with bipolar disorder in remission on cognition, and to assess the neural assays for treatment effects with the purpose of identifying a neural biomarker for pro-cognitive effect. It is hypothesized (i) that ABCR vs. a control treatment has a beneficial effect on cognition in remitted patients with bipolar disorder remission. It is hypothesized (ii) that this treatment-associated improvement of cognition translates into better functional capacity at a six months follow-up assessment (secondary outcome). Finally, as an exploratory measure, it is hypothesized that ABCR will produce an early change in frontal activity and that this activity will correlate with ABCR-associated improvements in cognitive function.
As the population ages and medical progress is made, many elderly patients that previously would not have been candidates for surgery are now undergoing operations. In this group of older patients, brain dysfunction after anesthesia and surgery is well recognized and categorized into two distinct clinical entities; Post-operative cognitive delirium (POD) and post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Delirium is an acute and fluctuating deterioration in attention accompanied by either a change in cognition or arousal and is often diagnosed by criteria established in the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Delirium can present as hypoactive (decreased alertness, motor activity and anhedonia), as hyperactive (agitated and combative) or as mixed forms. Age and the type of operation are the major risk factors. Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a term used to describe subtle changes in cognition, such as memory and executive function. The most commonly seen problems are memory impairment and impaired performance on intellectual tasks. In severe cases, it can lead to inability to perform daily living functions. It was previously found that the presence of cognitive dysfunction 3 months after non-cardiac surgery was associated with an increased mortality. The mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment after anesthesia and surgery are not yet fully clear. The risk factors are related to patient characteristics, type of operation and anesthetic management. Despite its limitations over-anesthesia as monitored by BIS was at-least correlative with POD. Therefore it is hopeful that an even more precise evaluation of the level of anesthesia will improve POD prediction (and thereby prevention) even further. On the other hand the measure of depth of anesthesia by itself does not provide sufficient prediction for POCD. In POCD a major role has been assigned to hippocampal damage. The investigators have recently demonstrated that temporary hippocampal interruptions are manifested by interhemispheric desynchronization, which are recognized by our new algorithm, which monitors electrophysiological markers of attention and of perception. The investigators have developed a unique algorithm for analyzing EEG based on the concept of monitoring perception and attention and their interhemispheric synchronization. The aims of this proof of concept study are: (i) to find-out whether interhemispheric desynchronization of attentional processes is associated with POCD; (ii) to find out whether the level of anesthesia, is linked primary to POD and secondary to POCD.
Computerized cognitive interventions (CCIs) have been increasingly widely implemented among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the efficacy of CCIs in maintaining or improving older adults' cognitive and functional health has been modest and highly variable. Older individuals' attitudes toward technology use may help explain some of the variability in CCI effects. The goal of this R21 is to generate proof-of-concept for an intervention that may improve attitudes toward computers among those with MCI, in turn improving engagement with and efficacy of a subsequent CCI. Person-centered care—that is, integrating individuals' preferences throughout the process of intervention--has improved intervention engagement among older persons, including those with MCI. A recent intervention predicated on this person-centered approach is called "personalized engagement program" (PEP). PEP involves a database of individualized computer-led leisure activities. The investigators' recent pilot data in senior living facilities suggest that PEP promotes psychological well-being among older persons with MCI, and may shift computers from dauntingly complex or personally irrelevant devices to familiar, enjoyable technology. These results are consistent with a number of theories indicating that exposure to pleasurable experiences with an object or task improves several dimensions of attitudes, including affective and cognitive components, as well as behavior and motivation. Grounded in both this pilot data and the theory around it, the investigators seek to take the next step in an arc of research ultimately intended to improve the efficacy of CCIs. A small randomized controlled trial (RCT) is proposed to assess whether an initial period of PEP, followed by a standard CCI, improves a) attitudes toward computers, b) engagement with the CCI, and c) cognitive outcomes, compared to an attention control period followed by CCI. Our design involving stratified random assignment of 50 assisted living residents with MCI from 4 senior living facilities to these two groups. The initial phase involves 4 weeks of either attention control or PEP, a "dose" suggested by prior work on attitude change and computers, followed by 6 weeks of CCI for both groups (a period our prior work indicates is sufficient for change in key cognitive domains among this population). This application is the first of which we are aware striving to augment CCIs, which are now ubiquitous, by addressing an attitudinal or affective element of the person, which are often ignored in the cognitive intervention literature. The adjuvant of PEP also answers increasing calls for "personalized" or "person-centered" behavioral interventions with older persons.
The purpose of this study is the examine the feasibility of and estimate the efficacy of a preoperative exercise (i.e. prehabilitation) program in 40 up to sedentary older adults (i.e. age 60 and over) undergoing abdominal, urologic or gynecologic surgery under the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol at Duke, using a variety of techniques to measure the possible effect of this intervention. Study patients will undergo a program of prehabilitation exercise for 6 days per week prescribed for them by an exercise physiologist, for up to 4 weeks prior to surgery. Study participants will undergo four types of assessments: Functional/Cognitive testing; Blood/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and Muscle biopsies; Brain Imaging; and Brain Activity Recording. Clinical Outcomes will also be obtained from the Duke electronic medical record system. The risks of the exercise intervention are generally mild, since moderate exercise in this patient population generally results in improved health outcomes. Data from these patients will be analyzed in comparison to propensity matched patients from the Duke Markers of Alzheimer's Disease and neurocognitive Outcomes after Perioperative Care (MADCO-PC) study who did not undergo this prehabilitation exercise intervention. Taken together, the results of this study will allow the investigators to estimate the possible effect of prehabilitation exercise on multiple domains of postoperative recovery (cognition, brain connectivity, biomarkers, brain activity, etc) and will provide important preliminary data.
The purpose of this study is to use transcanial doppler (TCD) ultrasound to look for possible risk factors for ischemic brain injury. We will perform contrast TCD with agitated saline contrast to identify and contrast right-to-left shunt (RLS) and breath holding to assess cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in the elderly.