Mild Cognitive Impairment Clinical Trials

Apathy, a profound loss of initiative and motivation, is often seen in older Veterans with memory problems. Apathy leads to serious health problems, increases dependency, and caregiver burden. If untreated, apathy hastens the progression to frank dementia. In a pilot study, the investigators found that apathy, working memory, and function can be restored using magnetic stimulation in some but not all older Veterans. The reason for this variation is unknown. The investigators propose a three-phase study in 125 older Veterans with mild memory problems. Their motivation, memory, and function will be measured periodically. Veterans with apathy that are eligible for treatment will receive either real or sham magnetic stimulation to the front part of their brain over 20 sessions. Genetic testing and biomarkers will be used to differentiate those who respond to magnetic stimulation from those who do not. Impact on function, quality of life, and rates of progression to dementia will also be studied. A project modification was obtained to conduct a cross-sectional study, the COVID Dementia study. The cross-sectional study will examine the effect of the pandemic on MCI and AD patients and their caregivers ("individual COVID-related factors" such as, personally infected, death of a friend/family member, economic hardship, disruption in care, isolation), barriers to telehealth, caregiver distress, NPS, cognition (including onset of delirium), and function. Our goal is to develop a multi-pronged, remotely deliverable intervention to address consequences of healthcare disruptions in older Veterans with cognitive impairment. Aim 1. To explore the association between COVID-related factors and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals with MCI and AD. Hypothesis: The number of COVID-related factors endorsed by caregivers will be positively correlated with the severity of NPI-Q in individuals with MCI and AD. Aim 2. To assess cognition (telephonic version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; tMoCA12, and daily function (Functional Activities Questionnaire; FAQ13). Hypothesis: The number of COVID-related factors will be positively correlated with the severity of cognitive and functional deficits in individuals with MCI and AD. Aim 3. To explore the associations among COVID-related factors and caregiver distress. Hypothesis: Caregiver resilience and perceived social support will modify the association between COVID-related factors and severity of distress in caregivers. Read Less

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque buildup and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the brain, as well as widespread neurodegeneration. Amyloid-β and tau are proteins that build up in the brain that may contribute to memory problems. The evidence suggests that both amyloid and tau play a critical role in AD and interventions that reliably and safely decrease the intracerebral burden of amyloid or tau could potentially be of marked clinical importance. Currently, therapeutic options are very limited and while there are pharmacologic interventions that transiently improve cognitive function, there are no treatments that alter disease progression. The purpose of this study is to see if multiple daily sessions of non-invasive brain stimulation can affect brain activity to decrease the amount of amyloid and tau in people with AD as compared to Sham (placebo) stimulation. The type of brain stimulation that will be used is called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). This study will investigate different doses of tACS (2-4 weeks) and assess safety. The hope is that tACS will decrease the amount of amyloid and tau and improve memory and thinking in people with AD. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out if a 9 week group therapy using video from home will help veterans with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The main questions it aims to answer are: * is the video therapy user-friendly for veterans? * does it improve veterans well-being and quality-of-life? Veterans will be asked to attend nine 1 hour small group video sessions and will complete questionnaires before and after the sessions. Researchers will compare the group of veterans that starts the video sessions right away with a group that waits before starting the video sessions. Read Less

To investigate factors that predict cognitive enhancement following engagement in an intensive Computerized Cognitive Training Protocol. Read Less

This is a pilot study to evaluate the use of remote cognitive testing to identify patients who may have cognitive vulnerability and may benefit from cognitive care pathways. Participants in this study are asked to complete a smartphone battery of thinking, memory, speech, and motor function tests on their smartphone. Read Less

The PREVENTION Trial is a 12-month, two-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) in adults 50-80 years old experiencing cognitive decline. Our study clinicians will refer patients for enrollment based on three categories: 1) a diagnosis of mild AD according to criteria established by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke (AD and Related Disorders Association \[NINCDS-ADRDA\]), 2) those with mild cognitive impairment will be diagnosed according to the Petersen method, and 3) subjective memory impairment as assessed by neuropsychological assessments and self-report. Enrollment will require evidence of AD pathophysiological processes (as defined by a positive amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan). The first objective is to evaluate the efficacy of a coached, data-driven, multi-modal lifestyle intervention to treat cognitive decline. Subjects will be randomized into one of two groups: Group 1 (Active Control) or Group 2 (Intervention). Group 1 (Data-driven clinical recommendations (CR)) will serve as the active control group and will receive data-driven clinical recommendations by a study physician based on study assessments and clinical lab values. Group 2 (Data-driven multi-modal intervention with coaching (MMIC)) will receive the same clinical recommendations and also an intensive multi-modal intervention with health coaching, support and resources to carry out these recommendations. This includes health coaching sessions (with an RDN), dietary counseling sessions (with an RDN), and group cognitive and physical exercise classes (CogFit) with a certified personal trainer and a computer-based neurocognitive program at home. Both groups will be measured for treatment related changes in cognitive and functional abilities, quality of life, biological, and biochemical measures. The second objective is to analyze longitudinal multi-omic data, including metabolomics, proteomics, genetics, microbiome, behavior and cognition into personalized, dense, dynamic data (i.e. PD3) from individuals with cognitive decline and underlying Alzheimer's neuropathology. The goal analysis is to identify models of causation that can further advance knowledge and research in neurodegenerative disorders and healthy living. Read Less

This phase I clinical trial will examine the safety and efficacy of intermittent hypoxia training (IHT) for up to 12 weeks to treat subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Read Less

The investigators aim to conduct a fully powered randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of two symptom management programs for older adults with early cognitive decline (either self-reported or confirmed by testing) and chronic pain, Active Brains 1 and Active Brains 2. The investigators will assess how each program may help in improving multimodal physical, cognitive and emotional function. The investigators will also assess whether improvements in outcomes from the two programs are maintained through 6-months follow-up. The investigators will also explore whether improvements in outcomes are mediated by nonadaptive pain reactions, adaptive coping, social factors and compensatory strategies and modified by demographic and clinical predictors. Both programs will be delivered virtually (Zoom). Read Less

The Atlas of Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer's (ARIAS) study is a 5-year study examining the natural history of retinal imaging biomarkers associated with disease risk, disease burden, and disease progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this project is to create a 'gold standard' reference database of structural anatomic and functional imaging of the retina, in order to enable the identification and development of both sensitive and reliable markers of AD risk and/or progression. Our ultimate goal is to develop a new screening protocol that identifies changes related to AD 10-20 years before AD is clinically visible. Read Less

The Georgetown University Memory Disorders Program, part of the Department of Neurology, is conducting pilot studies of the feasibility of various diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and other neurodegenerative diseases. Further, this study is assessing longitudinal changes in biological, lifestyle, and cognitive assessment collection. The primary goal of this study is to examine the feasibility of biochemical assays, genetic testing, and cognitive and lifestyle assessments in the ante-mortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment and other neurodegenerative diseases. This research involves genetic and cognitive status testing but the findings will not be shared with research subjects. This will be accomplished ex vivo using blood, and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or other neurodegenerative diseases and from normal controls. Read Less

The main objective of this research project is to provide a comprehensive clinical database of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and age-matched normal controls. The study will also attempt to identify cognitively normal individuals at genetically defined risk for Alzheimer's disease through genetic screening. All participants are seen annually. Autopsies to establish diagnoses in patients with dementia, patients with mild MCI, and cognitively normal elderly control subjects will also be conducted. Read Less