View clinical trials related to Dementia.
Filter by:Detecting memory problems early is crucial for treating conditions like Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which often leads to dementia. Currently, doctors use tests in clinics to check for these issues. However, there's a growing need for better methods to monitor our cognitive skills over time. Computer games emerge as a cost-effective solution for assessing the brain functions of older adults. In our study, we are investigating the potential of computer games to reflect the cognitive skills of older adults. We developed the VibrantMinds platform, featuring five games: Whack-a-Mole, Bejeweled, Mahjong Solitaire, Word Search, and Memory Game. We have evaluated these games for ease of use, enjoyment, and their impact on brain functions. Now, our goal is to determine whether these games can offer valuable insights into the cognitive skills of older adults. We are collecting demographic data, game-playing data, and cognitive test results. Our analysis will determine the correlation between game data, cognitive test outcomes, and demographic information. Additionally, we will assess both the perceived and observed engagement of older adults as they play the games.
Computer games are increasingly utilized as tools for studying cognitive skills, aging, individual differences, and development. They offer a unique advantage by presenting challenges that more closely mirror the complexities and demands of everyday tasks compared to traditional laboratory experiments, clinical tests, and standardized assessments. Our team took an innovative step in this direction by developing a suite of tablet-based games, titled VibrantMinds. These games, varying in type, are designed to measure diverse cognitive indicators, acting as proxies for assessments typically conducted using paper-and-pencil tests in clinical settings. VibrantMinds games have been specifically crafted to be user-friendly and engaging for older adults, including those with dementia. Our studies have shown that these individuals not only find the games accessible but also exhibit measurable improvement in gameplay, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive skill training. Building on this foundation, we are now poised to conduct an in-depth investigation into the actual effectiveness of serious computer games (SCGs) for cognitive enhancement and their application in real-world settings for older adults. This next phase of research will leverage the VibrantMinds platform to carry out studies aimed at validating software-defined indicators of cognitive function and measuring the impact of game-based interventions on cognitive abilities, health-related quality of life, and other significant real-life outcomes. The anticipated results promise to expand our understanding of the potential for new technologies in cognitive assessment and intervention. Moreover, by employing machine learning analysis of the data collected through VibrantMinds, we aim to develop a taxonomy that correlates game complexity and player performance with conventional clinical instruments for assessing cognitive status and functioning.
The proposed study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of intranasal oxytocin (OXT) to determine its efficacy in improving quality of life and reducing stress in caregivers to persons with dementia. Planned enrollment is 32 subjects over 2 years.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 6-week Caregivers Of dementia Processing Emotions (COPE) program using the integrative therapy to reduce EE (primary outcome) in family caregiver of PLwD to alleviate the caregivers' depression, improve social dynamic with the PLwD, and mitigate the perceived stress from BPSD (secondary outcomes).
The goal of this observational study is to investigate the prevalence of Neurological Soft Signs (NSS) in various categories of dementia patients compared to matched controls. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Does the prevalence of NSS significantly differ among patients with neurodegenerative dementias compared to controls? - Are NSS associated with neuropsychiatric alterations in dementia patients? - Do NSS correlate with cognitive screening tools? - Do NSS increase over time in patients with neurodegenerative dementias? Participants will undergo assessments including: - Evaluation of NSS using the Heidelberg scale - Neuropsychiatric assessments - Cognitive screening using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) Researchers will compare dementia groups (Alzheimer's disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Corticobasal syndrome and Lewy body dementia) to controls to determine differences in NSS prevalence. Additionally, associations between NSS and neuropsychiatric symptoms, as well as cognitive performance, will be explored.
Evidence shows that people with dementia have a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance, cognitive decline, behavioral disturbance, and experience motor dysfunction. These symptoms are interrelated. However, few randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies implement dual-task training for mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, especially for those who experience sleep problems and behavioral disturbances. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effect of dual-task training in improving global cognitive function, executive function, working memory, sleep, behavioral disturbances, balance, and flexibility among people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. . Does dual-task training affect primary outcomes (global cognitive function, executive function, and working memory) 2. . Does dual-task training affect secondary outcomes (including sleep quality, behavioral disturbances, balance, and flexibility) for people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia?" The length of dual-task training is 6 weeks; sessions are 3 times per week, each session lasts 45 minutes, and total sessions are 18. While the control group receives the usual care. Researchers will compare the experiment and control groups to see the effect of the dual-task training.
The objectives of this study are to demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a deprescribing nudge intervention using pragmatic methods, confirm that outcomes can be feasibly measured and evaluated at scale in a subsequent embedded pragmatic clinical trial (ePCT), and explore representativeness of persons living with dementia and care partners identified.
Significance of Research Question/Purpose: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is regarded as the first clinical manifestation in the AD-dementia continuum and currently has a prevalence of 11.2% in adults over the age of 45, with incidence increasing with greater age. Furthermore, population-based studies suggest that between 50% and 80% of older individuals (aged 70 years and older) who perform normally on cognitive tests, report some form of perceived decline in cognitive functioning when asked. The SCD state is unique as this population is more likely than their healthy peers to present with AD biomarkers such as neurodegeneration and amyloid burden, and therefore represents probable preclinical AD relative to other causes of SCD. Likewise, growing evidence suggests that a significant proportion of those adults are subsequently found to develop MCI, or AD, following the classic SCD-MCI-AD trajectory, with SCD increasing MCI risk 1.5-3 fold. Preventing Alzheimer's disease (AD) is arguably the most important approach to address the dementia epidemic worldwide because 99.6% of drug trials failed and no drugs can yet prevent, cure, or even slow AD. A treatment that delays the onset of AD by five years could save $89 billion in 2030.This highlights an urgent and pressing need to develop behavioral interventions to prevent AD and slow its progression. The first purpose is to develop a fully-featured version of the Virtual Reality Cognitive Training (VRCT) aspect of the Exergame that can be installed and updated remotely. We will build on the Phase II Exergame by creating the capability that allows it to be installed and updated remotely to facilitate home-based use, especially by older adults. This also helps address a strong preference from our Phase II participants to minimize interaction with outsiders due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a home- based solution will greatly facilitate commercialization. The second purpose is to determine the efficacy of the Home-based (Hb)Exergame on cognition and aerobic fitness in older adults at risk for AD using a 2:2 factorial design clinical trial. We will measure the following outcomes quantitatively: a) cognition: fluid cognition (global cognition) as the primary outcome, processing speed and other cognitive domains as secondary outcomes; b) aerobic fitness, c) neuroprotective blood biomarkers.
This cohort study aims to determine if a blood test can aid with diagnosing dementia in anyone presenting with cognitive complaints to a single healthcare network. The investigators will measure levels of a brain protein, Neurofilament light chain (Nfl), and assess changes in language using speech tests. Participants will have a single blood test and speech test, and will be followed up at 12-months to complete questionnaires and cognitive scales over the phone. The speech test will also be completed again at 12-months. Individuals at risk of a Fronto-temporal dementia syndrome will be eligible to complete optional genetic testing involving an 'at home' saliva sample.
The goal of this clinical trial is to test two advices on alcohol drinking in more than 10.000 Spanish adult drinkers (men of 50 or more years and women of 55 or more years). The main question it aims to answer is to test the non-inferiority advice of a moderate alcohol drinking pattern on all-cause mortality and other chronic disease like cardiovascular disease, cancer or type 2 diabetes. Participants will receive during 4 years an advice to drink alcohol following a Mediterranean Alcohol Drinking Pattern (MADP): consuming alcohol in moderation, avoidance of binge drinking and preference for red wine. Researchers will compare those who will receive a MADP advice with those who will receive an advice on abstention to see if the advice on MADP is not inferior than the abstention advice to prevent all-cause mortality and other chronic diseases.