View clinical trials related to Dementia.
Filter by:This study will determine whether montessori-based activities can help older adults with dementia become more responsive to others.
This pilot study will evaluate the effect of direct current (DC) electrical polarization of the brain on language, memory, reaction time, and mood in six patients with frontotemporal dementia (Pick's disease). There is no effective treatment available for cognitive impairment in patients with this condition. DC polarization sends a very weak current between two sponge pads placed on the head. In a previous study in healthy volunteers, DC polarization of the left prefrontal area of the brain increased verbal fluency, memory and attention, and motor reaction time in the study subjects. Patients between 35 and 75 years of age with frontotemporal dementia who have been referred to NINDS's Cognitive Neuroscience Section for an existing protocol will be offered participation in this study. Candidates will be screened with a neurological examination to confirm the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. Participants receive 40 minutes of DC polarization or sham polarization in each of two separate sessions. (No current is applied in the sham treatment). During the polarization, the patient rests quietly. Sponge pads that have been soaked in water are put on the left side of the head and above the right eye, and are held in place with elastic netting. Before the polarization and after about 20 minutes of polarization, patients undergo the following tests: - Language: Patients must say as many words beginning with certain letters as they can in 90 seconds. - Memory: Patients must remember a letter on a computer screen, and when the letter appears again, press the same letter on the keyboard. - Reaction time: Patients place pegs on a pegboard. - Mood: Patients place a mark on a line ranking how they feel.
This study will compare the safety and effectiveness two medications, citalopram (Celexa®) and risperidone (Risperdal®).
The purpose of this study is to determine whether bright light improves the sleep, mood, and behavior of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD) who live in long-term care settings and, if so, to determine the best timing for the light therapy. The light levels being used in the study have been shown to improve depression in persons with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and to relieve sleep problems in persons with jet lag and other body rhythm disturbances. Because persons with AD often will not remain still in front of a fluorescent panel, this project has involved renovations in the study units that provide for even, regulated, high-intensity light in all public areas of the study settings.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the anti-inflammatory drug celecoxib can delay the onset of Alzheimer Disease (AD) in people with Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI). This study will also evaluate genetic risk and brain structure as potential predictors of mental decline.
The purpose of this study is to develop an effective, low-cost, telephone-based intervention to reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of burden and stress in caregivers of patients with dementia. This study will also determine whether the intervention can alter the course of dementia.
The primary aim of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of quetiapine (Seroquel) for the treatment of psychosis and/or agitation in patients with primary dementia complicated by coexistent parkinsonism, or patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia [PDD] who have episodes of agitation or psychosis. The secondary aim is to determine the safety and tolerability, particularly the influence on parkinsonism, of quetiapine when used to treat psychosis and/or agitation in patients with dementia complicated by coexistent parkinsonism.
This is a trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of galantamine in patients with dementia secondary to blood vessel disease in the brain.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of risperidone compared with placebo in the treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease
This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of donepezil (Aricept) for treating mild dementia in patients with Parkinson's disease. Donepezil is approved for treating patients with Alzheimer's disease, whose memory and cognition problems are similar to those of patients with Parkinson's disease who are affected by dementia. Donepezil prevents the breakdown of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which is involved in memory and other cognitive functions, and may improve cognition in patients. Patients 40 years of age and older with Parkinson's disease who have mild to moderate dementia may be eligible for this 6-month study. It involves 6 clinic visits of approximately 2 hours each, described below. Candidates will be screened for participation during Visit 1. - Visit 1 (screening visit): Study candidates will have a medical history, physical and neurological examinations, electrocardiogram (EKG), and possibly blood tests. They will also undergo neuropsychological testing (tests of memory, language, mood and, other brain functions) and fill out a quality of life questionnaire. Those enrolled will be randomly assigned to receive either donepezil (5 mg per day) or placebo-a look-alike pill with no active ingredients. After 4 weeks, the dose of donepezil will be increased to 10 mg per day. Patients who do not tolerate the higher dose will have it reduced to 5 mg. Those who do not tolerate the 5-mg dose will be taken off medication but will continue to be followed and tested. - Visit 2 (week 7): Patients will have a neurological examination and neuropsychological testing and will fill out a quality of life questionnaire. - Visit 3 (week 10): Patients will repeat the evaluations done during visit 2 and will stop taking the study medication. - Visit 4 (week 16): Patients will repeat the evaluations done during visit 2 and will have their study medication switched. That is, patients previously on placebo will be switched to donepezil, and patients who were taking donepezil will be switched to placebo. After 4 weeks, the dose of donepezil will be increased to 10 mg per day. Patients who do not tolerate the higher dose will have it reduced to 5 mg. Those who do not tolerate the 5-mg dose will be taken off medication but will continue to be followed and tested. - Visits 5 and 6 (weeks 23 and 26): Patients will repeat the evaluations done during visit 2. This study is being conducted at the National Institutes of Health, the University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University