View clinical trials related to Cognitive Decline.
Filter by:The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about and describe how pianistic training influences the development of Alzheimer's disease. The key question is: Can pianistic practice influence the development of Alzheimer's disease? Participants will receive piano lessons for 4 weeks (20 sessions) and we will evaluate the evolution of the different parameters described by the tests carried out.
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.
Dementia is the most common disease in older individuals and this century's biggest healthcare challenge. Many patients who visit the memory clinic with memory complaints do not have dementia but instead are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective cognitive decline (SCD). MCI or SCD may be a pre-dementia stage. Many patients with MCI or SCD often leave their consultation with unanswered questions, and unsure what they, themselves can do to reduce dementia risk. Patients with MCI and SCD have a heightened risk of developing dementia. Therefore, this group would possibly benefit most from preventive strategies. Around 40% of dementia cases is attributable to modifiable factors. Thus, managing a healthy lifestyle may reduce dementia risk. To answer the information request many patients have when leaving the memory clinic and to fill the knowledge gap an online tool has been developed. The goal of this mixed-method feasibility study is to investigate the usability, feasibility, patient experience, and effectiveness of the personalized, multi-domain online website in older adults with MCI or SCD. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Is the new website being used by the target population? - How does the target population experience the use of the website? - What is the effect of using the website? Participants will have access to the website and are free to use the website in any way they want.
The goal of this clinical trial (Balanced-2 study) is to compare light to deep general anesthesia using widely available brain monitors, to see if 'light' anesthesia could reduce rates of delirium, cognitive decline, and disability in older adults undergoing major surgery. Delirium is the most common serious surgical complication, occurring in an estimated one in four older adults undergoing major surgery. Delirium causes significant distress to patients and family, and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, physical disability, progression to dementia-like illnesses, and discharge to long-term care. Between 10 - 30% of adults aged 70 years and above have surgery every year, and preserving brain health and wellbeing is an important priority during this time. Older adults (aged ≥65 years, or Indigenous, Pasific patients aged ≥55 years) undergoing major surgery with general anesthesia (excluding heart and brain surgery) and able to provide consent will be able to participate. Participants will be randomized to two groups - a lighter general anesthesia group and a deeper general anesthesia group using processed electroencephalography (a brain monitor that provides information on depth of anesthesia using brain waves). The anesthesiologist will titrate anesthetic drugs according to the brain monitor. Participants will be followed up to determine if they experience delirium after surgery, and longer term impact of delirium such as cognitive and physical decline will also be measured. If found to be effect, this simple, cheap, and widely available treatment could reduce disability, preserve brain health and wellbeing of many older adults undergoing surgery worldwide, and save millions in healthcare dollars.
The goal of clinical trial is to learn about how blood pressure fluctuations affect cognitive performance (thinking abilities) and brain blood flow in persons with Parkinson's disease with and without orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when standing). The main questions it aims to answer are: - Is there a certain level of blood pressure that correlates with change in cognitive performance while upright? - Is there a certain level of change in brain blood flow that correlates with change in cognitive performance when upright? - How does cognitive performance differ between persons with Parkinson's disease that have orthostatic hypotension and those without orthostatic hypotension? - How does cognitive performance differ between the supine (laying down) and upright positions? - How do blood pressure and brain blood predict changes in cognitive performance over two years? Participants in this study will undergo the following procedures: - Complete a screening visit with questionnaires, medical history, physical exam, and head-up tilt-table test. - Attend one baseline study visit, during which they will undergo a battery of computerized cognitive tests repeated twice: once while laying down and once while upright on a tilt table. Simultaneously, during the experiments we will measure blood pressure using a wrist-worn device and inflatable arm cuff and will measure brain blood flow using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive device that uses light sensors to detect changes in brain blood flow. - Attend one two-year follow-up visit, during which they will repeat a battery of computerized cognitive tests repeated twice: once while laying down and once while upright on a tilt table. During this visit, like before, we will measure blood pressure using a wrist-worn device and inflatable arm cuff and will measure brain blood flow using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Researchers will compare participants with Parkinson's disease with and without orthostatic hypotension in the laying down and upright positions to see if there are changes in thinking abilities between these groups.
The current project is dedicated to creating a comprehensive cognitive and neural assessment platform and corresponding norms tailored specifically to the older adults in Macau.
Older veterans with a history of mild brain trauma exhibit early cognitive challenges, especially in driving-related tasks. This is attributed to alterations in the brain's excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. This pilot project investigates this phenomenon by leveraging electroencephalography (EEG) to measure parietal lobe alpha rhythms during visual attention tasks. The hypothesis is that targeted visual attention training can modulate these alpha rhythms, improving instrumental activities in daily life. However, outcomes from such training vary, possibly due to individual differences in cortical inhibitory functions. This study will assess the relationship between EEG measures of E/I balance pre- and post-visual attention training and its effects on processing speeds in aging veterans. Our findings aim to provide a foundation for customized therapies and interventions for veterans with and without a history of brain trauma.
This study aims to conduct cognitive training for digital biomarkers among older adults.
This study will test the feasibility and effectiveness of an innovative model of care for cognitively impaired patients with heart failure. This program aims to improve cognition, reduce dementia risk and cardiovascular events, and will be supported by innovative digital technology for wide scale rollout and implementation. Findings from this research will transform the way healthcare is delivered to cognitively impaired patients with heart disease who have a very high risk of developing dementia.
The current study is a mechanistic study to evaluate working memory gains from application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in older adults with mild cognitive impairments (MCI) compared to cognitively healthy control