View clinical trials related to Working Memory.
Filter by:In genome-wide association studies we identified potassium channels to be genetically linked to performance and neural activity of working memory in healthy humans. Furthermore, there is evidence in rodents and non-human primates that pharmacological blockade of potassium channels can improve working memory. In the present study, we aim at investigating the effects of 10 mg fampridine (4-Aminopyridine), a potassium channel-blocking agent, on working memory performance in individuals with Post-COVID-19-Condition with subjective cognitive impairment. The hypothesis is that fampridine improves working memory performance. Fampridine, especially its slow-release formulation (Fampyra®) is generally a safe drug with well-studied pharmacokinetic properties. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches maximum concentration in the brain approximately 3.5h after single-dose administration. Evidence suggests that fampridine improves walking speed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), which led to FDA and EMA approval for this indication. The mode of action by which fampridine improves walking speed is probably its blockade of a spectrum of potassium channels that are exposed in demyelinated axons, leading to mitigation of potassium leakage and normalization of nerve conduction. Additionally, an action of fampridine at central synapses and increase of neurotransmitter release has been discussed.
The overall objective of this study is to examine physical exercise as an intervention for ADHD. The rationale for the proposed study is that physical exercise could serve as an effective treatment for college students with ADHD that has low costs, low risks, and ancillary health benefits and may address the limitations of existing treatments. The central hypothesis is that college students with ADHD will exhibit greater degrees of improvement in executive functioning (i.e., sustained attention, working memory) immediately following sprint interval training (SIT), relative to non-ADHD peers. This hypothesis was formulated based on preliminary studies demonstrating reduced ADHD symptoms and improved executive functioning following physical exercise. Multiple 2 (ADHD vs. control) x 2 (male vs. female) x 2 (exercise vs. none) repeated measures ANOVAs will be conducted to compare students with ADHD (n = 24) to controls (n = 24). The expected outcomes are to confirm this hypothesis and demonstrate the need for further study of physical exercise. If confirmed, the results will provide pilot data for a larger NIH grant proposal aimed at further examining the acute effects of physical exercise (i.e., improved cognitive functioning immediately following exercise) and also the chronic effects of physical exercise (i.e., improved functioning after engaging in regular exercise for an extended period). This outcome is expected to have an important positive impact because physical exercise may serve as an effective treatment for college students with ADHD that is less risky than stimulants, less time-consuming than therapy, and provides ancillary health benefits (i.e., increasing physical fitness, decreasing obesity).
Patients assume that cognitive performance rapidly returns to baseline after anesthesia and surgery. Several studies have shown that one week after major non-cardiac surgery about 27% of patients have postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and 10% of patients at 3 months. Very few studies have assessed the incidence of POCD beyond 3 months. POCD significantly reduces quality of life. Identifying risk factors for POCD is important because it is associated with prolonged hospital stay, loss of independence, and premature retirement. There is an urgent need to measure and document the level of cognitive change associated with surgery with an easy to use tool, both prior to admission and after discharge. This information can be used to plan appropriate care paths and to identify or test the efficacy of potential new treatments to alter the negative trajectory.