Cognitive Decline Clinical Trials

Electrical activity in the brain known as "gamma" brainwaves help connect and process information throughout the brain. These gamma waves are diminished in Alzheimer's disease. New research in Alzheimer's disease mouse models shows that exposure to light flickering at the rate of 40 flashes per second or 40Hz increased gamma brainwaves and led to clearing of beta amyloid plaques in the brain, a key abnormality in Alzheimer's disease. This project will test the ability of a novel iPad App (AlzLife https://www.alz.life/) that delivers light therapy at 40 Hz combined with cognitive therapy to improve cognition, function, and quality of life in Alzheimer's disease. Read Less

The investigators propose to conduct a 6-month 3-arm randomized controlled exercise trial among older adults to compare the efficacy of yoga with aerobic exercise and stretching-toning exercises on cognitive function, brain structure and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, functional fitness, and inflammatory and molecular markers. Using a single-blind, three arm randomized control trial, 168 older adults ages 55-79 will be assigned to either: a Hatha yoga group, an aerobic exercise group or an active stretching and toning control group. The groups will engage in hour-long group exercise sessions 3x/week. A comprehensive neurocognitive test battery, brain imaging, cardiovascular fitness test, and a blood draw will take place at baseline; end of the 6-month intervention, and at 12-month follow-up. The proposed work will examine the relationship between yoga training and improved cognitive functioning as well as identify neurobiological correlates as potential mechanisms of action through which yoga training exerts its effect on cognitive function. COVID-19 Precautions: Due to COVID-19, all exercise sessions will be conducted live via Zoom video-conferencing such that 1/3rd of the participants in each group will exercise in person with the research staff at UIUC campus once a week while the remaining 2/3rd will tune in via Zoom Read Less

The aim of this study is to investigate the modulation effects of Baduanjin (BDJ), a simple and innovative mind-body exercise, on cognitive function, resting state functional connectivity, and brain morphometry in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The results obtained will provide novel insights for improving the prevention of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to understand the factors that underlie changes in thinking and memory with increasing age. The investigators will test the usefulness of MRI, PET, and cognitive testing in detecting subtle changes in the brain that precede cognitive decline. An addendum to this study includes additional PET scans to examine the relationship between tau protein in the brain and cognitive decline. Tau is a protein that is known to form tangles in the areas of the brain important for memory, and these tau tangles are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This sub-study research aims to look at the tau accumulation in the brain using an investigational drug called MK-6240, which is a radio tracer that gets injected prior to a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Read Less