View clinical trials related to Cognitive Dysfunction.
Filter by:Many studies have shown that those with coronary artery disease (CAD) have a more rapid decline in memory than expected and that they are at an increased risk of developing dementia. It is not understood how memory decline is linked to CAD; however, it has recently been discovered that certain byproducts of fat breakdown involved in the development of CAD, called ceramides, can harm brain cells. In the present study the investigators will recruit 129 CAD patients from a cardiac rehabilitation facility and measure memory performance and blood ceramide concentrations at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The investigators will also measure important blood messengers of inflammation and assess whether they are associated with ceramide production. In addition, relationships between ceramides and other aspects of brain function, such as thinking speed and the ability to plan and sort information will be explored.
Cognitive impairment is also a major risk factor for development of dementia later in life. Findings from the investigators studies suggest that the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin may be important in cognitive function in the elderly. Avocados are a source of these carotenoids. The investigators study evaluates long-term avocado intervention as a treatment strategy for age-related cognitive impairment which could possibly prevent the onset of dementia. The investigators have also shown that lutein supplementation significantly improved verbal fluency scores in healthy older women. Based on these findings, the next logical step will be to investigate the ability of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in avocados to influence cognitive function in older adults. The investigators hypothesize that there will be a significant increase in cognitive function measures in older adults provided with meals containing 1 avocado/day at the end of 6 months, while no significant improvements will be observed in older adults given daily meals containing chickpeas and/or potatoes. The proposed study is designed as a randomized, placebo controlled trial that tests the effects of 6 month supplementation with 1 avocado/day on cognitive function in older adults. Secondary analyses will determine whether baseline macular pigment (lutein in retina which canbe measured non invasivley) density predicts relative effectiveness of the intervention on cognitive function. Secondary outcomes include plasma biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
To evaluate Pet AV-45 Amyloid imaging in the etiological diagnosis of primary non traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and hypertension related hemorrhage).We hypothesize that patients with lobar hemorrhage (probably related to Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy) will have a greater AV45 cortical binding than patients with deep hemorrhage (probably related to hypertension).
Many cancer survivors are experiencing problems with memory and other cognitive abilities following cancer treatment. Little is known concerning the contributions of potentially preventive therapies on cognitive function, but animal studies have pointed to the potential value of the medication fluoxetine in this context. We aim to determine whether six months of fluoxetine therapy can preserve brain function in patients who have undergone chemotherapy, and examine potential biological mechanisms for its protective effects in humans. If use of fluoxetine in cancer patients can be validated in this manner, it will represent the first drug demonstrated to prevent cerebral dysfunction associated with exposure to chemotherapy. Moreover, as this involves an agent that is already FDA-cleared for other indications, widely commercially available throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world, and relatively inexpensive since it is obtainable in generic formulations, it would represent a pharmacologic approach that is amenable to rapid translation to the clinical setting.
Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) affects up to 50% of non-cardiac surgical patients greater than or equal to 65 years of age. This study will test the hypothesis that preoperative presence of brain beta-amyloid plaques in non-demented subjects increases postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) in elderly subjects scheduled for hip or knee replacement. The investigators hypothesize that preoperative beta-amyloid plaques will predict postoperative cognitive decline.
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ascending oral doses of CHF 5074 after prolonged administration to patients with mild cognitive impairment.
This study investigates the efficacy of a novel neurorehabilitation program combining noninvasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS) and cognitive therapy, on cognitive function and quality of life in individuals with blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI).
The study will examine the effects of intranasally administered long-acting insulin detemir on cognition in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). The rationale for these studies is derived from growing evidence that insulin contributes to multiple brain functions, and that insulin dysregulation can contribute to AD pathogenesis. Thus, therapies aimed at restoring normal insulin signaling in the CNS may have beneficial effects on brain function. Intranasal administration of insulin increases insulin signaling in the brain without raising peripheral levels and causing hypoglycemia. Insulin detemir is an insulin analogue that may have better action in brain than other insulin formulations because of its albumin binding properties. The investigators will test the therapeutic effects of intranasally-administered insulin detemir in a study in which participants will receive insulin detemir, regular insulin, or placebo over a four month period. The investigators will test the hypothesis that insulin and insulin detemir will both improve memory and daily functioning in persons with AD/aMCI compared with placebo, but that insulin detemir will have the greatest effect.
ENLIGHTEN will examine the effects of exercise, the dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet (DASH), and a combined exercise and DASH intervention on cognitive function among adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and cognitive deficits. Participants will be randomized to one of the three treatments, or a health education control condition, for 6 months, and will complete assessments of CVD health and cognitive function before and after treatment.
Past epidemiological studies have demonstrated that larger social networks, or more frequent social interactions, could have potential protective effects on the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). However, in those studies, indicators of social interactions were often broad, and included distinct elements that affected cognition and overall health. This project will examine whether conversation-based cognitive stimulation has positive effects on domain-specific cognitive functions among the elderly. Face-to-face communication will be conducted through the use of personal computers, webcams, and user-friendly simple interactive Internet programs to allow participants to have social engagement while staying at their home and also for the cost effective execution of the study.