Cognitive Impairment Clinical Trials

This study evaluates cognitive impairment in subjects with Parkinson disease (PD) and similar neurological disorder through obtaining longitudinal clinical and neuropsychological data. The long term goal is to have a well-characterized subject population to contribute to our understanding of the natural history, diagnosis and ultimate treatment of cognitive impairment in patients with PD and similar disorders. Read Less

The COgnitive and Physical Exercise to improve Outcomes after Surgery (COPE-iOS) study is testing the hypothesis that a pragmatic program combining computerized cognitive training and physical training throughout the perioperative period will improve long-term cognitive and disability outcomes in older surgical patients at high risk for decline. To accomplish these goals, the Investigators are randomizing 250 patients ≥60 years old undergoing elective major non-cardiac surgery with expected hospitalization ≥3 days to a pragmatic comprehensive training program (computerized cognitive training and supervised progressive physical exercise) or to active control (control computer game, stretching exercises) for 2-4 weeks prior to surgery and for 3 months after discharge. At baseline and after discharge, the Investigators will assess global cognition, activities of daily living, depression, endothelial and blood brain barrier function (blood biomarkers), and neuroimaging (anatomical and functional MRI). In this early stage trial, the Investigators will determine if certain subgroups benefit most, program aspects with greatest effect on outcomes, mechanistic associations with outcomes, and additional exploratory analyses. Read Less

The purpose of this study is to investigate the brain activity associated with cognitive tasks (thinking, reasoning, remembering) in order to understand how the brain works during certain tasks and to improve treatment for diseases like dementia and attention deficit disorders. Cognitive (thinking) impairment may include poor memory function, poor attention span, or psychiatric disorders (ex: ADD, depression). The investigators are interested in the brain activity related to these issues, and want to investigate changes in brain activity while we record activity from specific areas of the brain. These recordings are in addition to clinical (routine or standard of care) recordings being performed to monitor for seizures and do not impact the clinical care. Read Less

This project will facilitate early detection of cognitive decline in older adults through development and implementation of an automated risk assessment and cognitive screening tool for use in primary care. By providing an automated tool developed specifically to address the needs of PCPs, it will be easier to screen for cognitive impairment, increasing the number of older adults who are screened and thus identified and treated. Read Less

Endocrine therapy (ET) is widely used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer and prevent recurrence by downregulating estrogen function. However, ETs readily cross the blood brain barrier and interfere with the action of estrogen in the brain. Estrogen supports cognition and menopausal status is closely linked to cognitive health in women. This has raised concern that anti-estrogen ETs may affect cognition and brain health in breast cancer survivors. However, evidence across existing studies is inconsistent and these effects remain poorly understood. The incomplete understanding of the effects of ET are likely due to limitations of earlier studies - namely, the under-appreciation of the role of menopausal status and insensitivity of standard cognitive measures. This research project will address these earlier limitations by specifically comparing ET effects by menopausal status, and using highly sensitive, task-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) measures to assess the effects of ET on brain function. Read Less

A pilot study to evaluate feasibility of enrollment of patients in an intervention to improve neurocognitive function in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors using the cognitive training Lumosity program. In addition, patients' interest in receiving information regarding genetic risk of cognitive impairment post-HCT will be measured. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the usefulness of a wearable robotic exoskeleton device (Ekso-GT), to improve learning and memory, and gait therapy in persons with walking disability due to Multiple Sclerosis. The study will evaluate the mobility, learning and memory, and walking abilities of individuals with multiple sclerosis who went through the traditional as compared to others who used the robotic exoskeleton as part of their therapy. Read Less

The objective is to understand how amygdala activation affects other medial temporal lobe structures to prioritize long-term memories. The project is relevant to disorders of memory and to disorders involving affect and memory, including traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Read Less

The purpose of this research study is to see how the brain changes in patients receiving chemotherapy (cytotoxic drug) treatment for colon or rectal cancer at Parkview Cancer Institute. This information will be used to identify helpful tests to diagnose individuals at risk for developing difficulties with thinking and memory due to their cancer treatments. Read Less

This study aimed to pilot test a non-pharmacological (behavioral) treatment program targeting improved cognition through improving 24-h sleep-wake cycle in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer's disease. A treatment program incorporating bright light therapy and a modified cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia will be developed to address 24-hour patterns of sleep. We will then pilot test its feasibility and explore its preliminary effects on improving sleep/napping and cognition in patients with MCI or mild Alzheimer's disease. Read Less

If a subject agrees to participate, the primary investigators will collect some basic information including age, height, and weight. Intake of some general questions regarding health will be performed and each subject will complete some tests that measure walking speed, cognition, and balance. During these tests participants will be asked to stand from a chair, walk up & down a staircase, walk over objects in a forward, backward, and sideways directions, walk around objects in forward and backward directions. After completing those tests, participants will be asked to repeat them while doing another task such as counting out loud, naming objects, or passing an object from one hand to another. Read Less

This projects studies the role of mindfulness training (MT) to improve self-care among patients with heart failure and cognitive impairment. Read Less