View clinical trials related to Mild Cognitive Impairment.
Filter by:The hypothesis tested if the diffusion properties in the base line, such as mean diffusivity or kurtosis, can differentiate two subtypes of MCI and predict the clinical outcome in Patients. The hypothesis further supports the correlation of the measured diffusion properties and the disease severity. We therefore proposed to investigate the potential value of diffusion properties as a possible tool to monitor the disease progression. The disease related changes in neural connectivity will be investigated. 1. The diffusion MRI could provide an improved diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Mild cognitive Impairment. Explanation: The deposition of the macromolecules such as beta amyloid in the brain and the associated neuron death of the patient could lead to observable changes in tissue microenvironment. The related changes would lead to alterations in either the amplitude or distribution of water diffusion. In turn it could be detected in diffusion tensor and kurtosis. 2. aMCI is a preclinical state of AD and dMCI is from a different etiology, which can be differentially diagnosis by MRI. Diffusion Imaging could help to predict the clinical outcome Explanation
Vascular risk factors may account for up to 80% of the memory and thinking problems experienced by our aging population today, by far in excess of that caused by Alzheimer's disease. By doing this study, we hope to learn how vascular risk factors cause memory and thinking changes in the elderly, and whether we can prevent memory and thinking changes by reducing these risk factors. Successful completion of project aims will allow an integrated understanding of mild cognitive impairment caused by vascular risks (MCI-CVD) with the potential for tremendous impact on one of the major healthcare crises facing the nation today. The study will enroll 80 participants with memory and thinking problems (mild cognitive impairment; MCI) and are at risk for stroke and further difficulties with memory and thinking that may eventually lead to disability and a diagnosis of dementia. Each participant will be randomized into one of two groups (40 in each group) and followed over 36 months. One group will be followed to allow us to understand the natural history of memory and thinking impairment, while the other group will receive intensive education and assistance with vascular risk factor (CVD) control.
This study will adapt Problem Solving Therapy (PST) for individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as an intervention for preventing major depression (DEP). PST will be modified so as to be provided to both MCI probands as well as their support person. The primary aim is to examine the effectiveness of PST in individuals with MCI and the support person, at preventing DEP over 12 mos. in MCI probands. We also will examine the effect of exercise on preventing depression.
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.
Cancer related fatigue (CRF) - a persistent sense of exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment - can severely interfere with activities of daily living, and has even been reported to be a factor in patient requests for hastened death. CRF can represent a serious clinical problem years after all treatment has ended. There is currently no effective treatment for CRF. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether systematic exposure to light (from a commercially available Litebook) reduces CRF or other symptoms.
Odor identification deficits, which are a result of early Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology in the olfactory bulb and tract as well as olfactory projection areas in the medial temporal lobe (entorhinal and piriform cortex and hippocampus), lateral and central orbitofrontal cortex and several other regions, occur in AD and strongly predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) conversion to AD. Our pilot data, along with converging findings in the literature, suggests that odor identification deficits, both incremental change over time and change in response to an anticholinergic challenge, may be clinically simple, relatively inexpensive, predictors of cognitive improvement with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (ACheI) treatment with potential clinical implications for predicting improvement and monitoring ACheI therapy.
The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility of and satisfaction with the revised DEMA and to estimate effect sizes for DEMA through incorporation of a comparison group. Specific aims are as follows: Aim 1: Evaluate feasibility of the study for MCI patient/caregivers. Aim 2: Estimate effect sizes for DEMA on MCI patient and caregiver outcomes. Aim 3: Evaluate MCI patients and family caregivers' satisfaction with and perceptions of DEMA or IS.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is believed to be the early stage of dementia. The investigators assume that some psychological and imaging risks may predict the conversion. In the current longitudinal study, psychological and imaging data of people with MCI will be obtained at baseline, and will be followed at 26 weeks and 52 weeks. The predictors will be found in comparison with controls.
The ability to maintain normal body core temperature (Tcore = 98.6°F) is impaired in persons with tetraplegia. Despite the known challenges to the ability of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to maintain Tcore, and the effects of hypothermia to impair mental function in able-bodied (AB) persons, there has been no work to date addressing these issues in persons with tetraplegia. The aim of this study is to determine if exposure of up to 2 hrs to cool temperatures (64°F) causes body core temperature to decrease in persons with tetraplegia and if that decrease is related to a decrease in mental performance. After sitting in a cool (64°F) room for up to 2 hours the investigators hypotheses are: Hypotheses (1): Tcore of most of the persons with tetraplegia will decline approximately 1.8°F (e.g., 98.6 to 96.8°F) while Tcore of controls will not decline at all; (2) Most of the persons with tetraplegia will show a decline in mental performance (memory or clear-headedness) while only some of AB controls will show a decline. The second aim of this study is to determine if a 10 mg dose of an approved blood pressure raising medicine (midodrine hydrochloride) will (1) reduce the decrease in body core temperature and (2) prevent or delay the decline in mental performance in the group with tetraplegia compared to the exact same procedures performed on the day with no medicine (Visit 1) in the same group. Hypotheses (3 & 4): The changes in blood flow to the skin caused by taking a one-time dose of midodrine will lessen the decline in Tcore and prevent or delay the decline in mental performance compared to the changes in Tcore and mental performance during cool temperature exposure without midodrine in the group with tetraplegia.
The purpose of this study is to pilot test an intervention to improve oral health for individuals with memory problems. The results from this study will assist in developing prevention and intervention programs aimed at maintaining good oral health, or at least slowing its deterioration.