Cognitive Impairment

Researchers are studying patients who have had an acute ischemic stroke affecting the basal ganglia and were treated with mechanical thrombectomy. The study aims to understand how often and in what ways cognitive, motor, and sleep problems occur after this treatment. The main focus is on defining these possible dysfunctions in the short and long term after stroke treatment. The study involves patients who have undergone mechanical thrombectomy for stroke in the proximal middle cerebral artery. Participants will be evaluated using tests for cognitive function, movement abilities, and sleep disorders. Specifically, sleep will be studied through polysomnographic examinations. Assessments occur in the acute phase soon after treatment and continue through long-term follow-up. Participants will undergo testing for cognitive, motor, and sleep function within 72 hours after their stroke treatment and at later points to monitor changes over time. The primary outcome is the presence of post-stroke cognitive dysfunction measured shortly after treatment. The research team will closely observe clinical outcomes related to movement and sleep as well. The study is sponsored by Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS and involves adult participants starting from age 18.

Researchers are conducting the 100-Year Human Aging Study, an observational trial designed to follow participants over their lifespans to investigate which health measurements can predict mortality, serious diseases, and functional disability. The study aims to validate many longevity measures that currently lack prospective evidence by tracking physiological, cognitive, social, and environmental factors that change with aging. This research will generate important data to improve understanding of aging and longevity medicine. Participants undergo comprehensive multi-system clinical screenings including tests like cardiopulmonary exercise testing, body composition assessment by DEXA, echocardiography, electrocardiography, spirometry, neurocognitive testing, sensory assessments, metabolic testing, and detailed medical and social histories. The study allows for different levels of participation, from single tests to full two-visit screening batteries, and encourages repeat testing to capture health changes over time. During the study, participants receive individualized reports including investigational estimates of biological age and predicted cause of death. Researchers collect data on mortality, serious health events, chronic diseases, functional ability, and lifestyle changes through periodic follow-up over many years, potentially up to 100 years. This extensive data collection helps evaluate how well these measurements predict aging outcomes. All data are stored in raw form for future analysis and participants are supported with ongoing contact and opportunities for repeat assessments.

Preterm birth, defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation, occurs in about 8 percent of pregnancies in Canada and is linked to many health challenges, especially when it happens before 29 weeks. At this early stage, infants often face breathing difficulties and may require resuscitation. This trial compares resuscitation using either low (30%) or high (60%) oxygen levels to determine which approach results in better survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at around 24 months of age. The study uses a cluster randomized crossover design where hospitals alternate between starting resuscitation with 30% or 60% oxygen for groups of 30 infants. Resuscitation includes standard care steps like lung expansion and ventilation support as needed. Oxygen is initially given at the assigned concentration for the first 5 minutes, then adjusted based on the infant's oxygen saturation levels and heart rate over the next 5 minutes to maintain target saturation ranges. This approach aims to balance risks of too much or too little oxygen. Participants are infants born between 23 and 28 weeks gestation who receive full resuscitation at participating centers. During the study, infants have oxygen saturation monitored continuously, and adjustments to oxygen concentration are made carefully. Researchers will evaluate survival and major neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months corrected age, along with several safety and health measures during the neonatal intensive care stay. The trial is expected to provide important evidence to guide oxygen use during resuscitation of extremely preterm infants.

Researchers are investigating the use of 3D resin printed models in anatomy education, focusing on how fractured bone models affect students' decision-making and quiz results. This study aims to evaluate the practicality of these high-quality, detailed resin models compared to standard anatomical models, enhancing hands-on training for wrist fracture rehabilitation. The research is sponsored by Abant Izzet Baysal University and targets educational problems related to anatomical pathological conditions. Participants will receive a 60-minute theoretical lesson on wrist anatomy and fracture pathophysiology. Then, they are randomly assigned to one of two groups: one practices with 3D resin printed fractured wrist models, while the other uses standard anatomical wrist models. Both groups have 2-hour practical sessions scheduled during morning hours to reduce fatigue. The study compares the effectiveness of learning with these two types of models. During the study, participants undergo various assessments including a one-hour clinical test as the primary outcome. Secondary measures include academic motivation, test anxiety, and ease of use questionnaires, each taking about one hour. The study involves training sessions, practical handling of models, and evaluations to understand educational impact. The total study duration and follow-up details are as scheduled by the research team, concluding by October 30, 2025.

Cognitive impairment related to dementia is often missed in primary care, especially among older adults from minority and socio-economically disadvantaged populations. Researchers are evaluating the 5-Cog brief cognitive assessment, a quick, simple, and standardized tool that takes less than 5 minutes and addresses cultural and logistical barriers. This pragmatic cluster-randomized trial aims to test whether the 5-Cog paradigm improves detection of new cases of cognitive impairment and dementia care in older adults with cognitive concerns. The study involves 22 primary care clinics in Bronx and Indiana, enrolling about 6,600 patients aged 65 and older who report cognitive concerns. Participants receive either the 5-Cog battery combined with a clinical decision-making tool or enhanced usual care, which includes cognitive concern screening. The 5-Cog battery includes tests like Picture Memory Impairment Screen, Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome diagnosis, and Symbol Match. Primary care physicians receive results and decision support but use their clinical judgment in care decisions. Participants undergo cognitive concern screening before their appointments. Researchers will review new cognitive impairment diagnoses and improvements in dementia care within 90 days after the primary care visit using electronic medical records. Additional evaluations include tests for reversible causes, medication changes, specialist referrals, and social support. The study also examines the 5-Cog paradigm's implementation and cost-effectiveness, focusing on populations facing health disparities. Total participation duration varies by patient and clinic schedule.

Researchers are investigating how the antidepressant citalopram affects the brain's response to emotional information, focusing on the amygdala, a key brain area involved in depression. This study explores how different parts of the amygdala react to positive and negative emotional stimuli, using advanced brain scanning technology to understand the underlying brain mechanisms. Participants will receive a single oral dose of either 20 mg citalopram or a placebo in a randomized, double-blind design. After dosing, participants will undergo high-strength 7T fMRI brain scans while viewing emotional faces. This precise imaging allows researchers to observe how citalopram influences specific subfields of the amygdala during emotional processing. Participants will be screened for medical and psychiatric health before joining. During the study, brain activity and behavioral responses such as accuracy and reaction time during a gender discrimination task will be measured about three hours after dosing. The study includes safety monitoring and lasts for a few hours on the study day, focusing on neural and behavioral outcomes related to emotional processing.

Researchers are studying the brain's action observation network (AON), which is involved in understanding and imitating movements, especially focusing on subcortical areas and the cerebellum. The study aims to explore how this network functions in healthy individuals and in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) who have early brain injuries. This research seeks to understand differences in brain activation patterns and their relation to clinical features in CP patients using advanced imaging techniques. Participants will undergo a 7 Tesla MRI scan using a high-resolution functional and anatomical protocol. The MRI will capture detailed images of brain structures including the cerebral cortex, subcortical nuclei, and cerebellum. Visual tasks involving observation of hand movements and tool use will be presented during the scan. CP patients will also receive a full clinical assessment before the MRI. The study includes both healthy volunteers and CP patients, with careful monitoring of participant compliance to avoid motion artifacts. During the study, researchers will evaluate brain activation and connectivity maps of the AON from the 7T MRI data. Participants' motor functions and clinical characteristics will be assessed for correlation with imaging results. The study involves observation during MRI scanning, clinical assessments, and monitoring of participants' responses to visual stimuli. This trial is expected to provide detailed insights into brain network organization and its changes in CP. The total participation includes MRI scanning and clinical evaluations around a single visit.

Researchers are evaluating the use of [18F]-MFBG PET scans to assess heart nerve activity in people with Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study compares this method with the current standard [123I]-MIBG SPECT scans, focusing on distinguishing between PD and MSA as well as DLB and AD. This is a prospective study conducted at two centers, aiming to validate the accuracy and feasibility of [18F]-MFBG PET for these neurological conditions. Participants will undergo several imaging tests including dynamic cardiac [18F]-MFBG PET, [123I]-MIBG SPECT, and cerebral [18F]-PE2I PET scans. Healthy volunteers and patients with confirmed diagnoses will be included, with groups divided by age and disease duration. A dosimetry study will also be conducted for healthy volunteers to measure radiation exposure from [18F]-MFBG. Multiple visits to the hospital are required for scans and assessments. During the study, participants will have thorough neurological assessments, brain MRI scans, and blood sampling alongside PET and SPECT imaging. Researchers will evaluate diagnostic accuracy, effect size of tracer uptake changes, and relationships between heart nerve imaging and brain dopamine transporter changes and autonomic dysfunction. The study includes monitoring for safety and will analyze regional heart uptake patterns. Participants can expect 3 to 4 hospital visits with detailed imaging and clinical evaluations over the study period.

Researchers are evaluating a new imaging method to detect the accumulation of a protein called TDP-43, which is linked to rare brain diseases like frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study aims to see if the new PET tracer, called [18F]ACI-19626, is safe when injected and if it can reliably show abnormal TDP-43 in the brain. The study includes both healthy people and those suspected of having TDP-43 protein buildup to compare differences. The study involves up to 45 participants split into groups: healthy controls, symptomatic gene mutation carriers with FTD, and patients with other TDP-43 related diseases. Participants receive an intravenous injection of [18F]ACI-19626 followed by a PET scan to track the tracer's brain uptake. Some participants may have a second PET scan within a month to check if the results are consistent. The study lasts up to 3 months, including screening, scanning, and follow-up. During the study, participants will undergo physical and neurological exams, questionnaires, blood and urine tests, ECGs, and sometimes MRI scans to confirm eligibility and health status. After the PET scan, blood samples are taken, and participants receive a phone call 2 to 4 days later to monitor any side effects. The main measurements include safety assessments, brain uptake of the tracer, and how well the scans can quantify TDP-43. The study also evaluates radiation exposure and tracer consistency between scans.

Researchers are investigating the early brain regions involved in Alzheimer's disease and its precursors using novel molecular probes [18F]AV45 (Ab2) and [18F]AV1451 (Tau) with PET/CT imaging. This study aims to understand the distribution of positive brain lesions affecting mental state tests like the simple mental state examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale in Alzheimer's patients. The goal is to provide molecular imaging information that may help study Alzheimer's disease mechanisms and establish objective diagnostic criteria for early detection. The study uses new imaging agents Ab2 and Tau PET/CT, which can detect pathological changes at the molecular level before symptoms appear. These molecular probes offer earlier and more visual detection of Alzheimer's disease-related changes, helping to define positive diagnostic criteria for early Alzheimer's disease. Participants include groups with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and healthy volunteers. Participants will be assessed through PET/CT imaging using these molecular probes to observe brain pathology. Researchers will evaluate the diagnostic criteria for Ab2 and Tau imaging within two months. The study includes cognitive tests and clinical dementia rating scales. This observational study involves healthy volunteers and patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease, aiming to improve early diagnosis through imaging techniques.