13 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of acupuncture on heart rate variability, skin conductance (sweating), and rated behavioral expression of agitation, irritability, and anxiety and mood in qualifying adults with a diagnosis of cognitively unimpaired, or probable Alzheimer's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia or Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Study subjects will all receive one real acupuncture treatment; mood scales will be assessed before and after. Massachusetts General Hospital is paying for this research to be done.
This is a 10-week study with bifeprunox and placebo in elderly subjects with psychosis and behavioral disturbances associated with dementia of the alzheimer's type.
This study is aimed at investigating specific pharmacological interventions in the treatment of the disruptive, agitated behavior associated with Alzheimer's patients. In addition, it is hoped that specific clinical profiles will be found to predict which treatment is most effective for these particular patients.
This study will compare the safety and effectiveness two medications, citalopram (Celexa®) and risperidone (Risperdal®).
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the use of autologous Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells (BMSC) as a means to improve cognitive impairment as occurs in Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias and to improve behavior and socialization issues which occur in adult Autism Spectrum Disorder. The use of Near Infrared Light, in conjunction with the use of BMSC, will also be assessed.
The purpose of this study is to determine whether an antipsychotic medication alone or an antipsychotic medication in combination with divalproex is the most effective and safest way to treat agitation in elderly patients with dementia.
Care for America's Aging is a randomized pilot study investigating whether a home health aide training intervention consisting of enhanced dementia-specific curriculum content will improve: 1) behavioral symptoms of older adult persons living with dementia or cognitive impairment (PLWD/CI) and 2) global health-related quality of life among PLWD/CI and their care partners.
Fluctuations in alertness are very common in persons with Lewy body dementias and are a major source of disability. Changes in a chemical messenger molecule called acetylcholine within certain brain regions may play a role in these fluctuations. We propose to test this hypothesis and also determine whether a non-invasive way of stimulating affected brain regions may be of relevance for future management of these fluctuations.
The goal of this study is to characterize biophysiolgoical signals as a comprehensive profile of the nervous systems in order to understand interactions between the brain and body, while an individual performs naturalistic behaviors (ex. walking, pointing) and while breathing at a slow controlled pace. The investigators aim to study these interactions among a variety of populations, from healthy individuals to those with disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder(s), including those who may also have an ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis, Asperger's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and/or Fragile X syndrome
In this Phase II SBIR project we will enhance a wireless WiFi-based insole that was designed and successfully tested during a Phase I trial with elderly persons with dementia and their caregivers, and then investigate its efficacy in terms of caregiver activity, burden, and quality of life in Phase II. Evaluation will use semi-structured interviews and participant observation data collected from professional and family caregivers of patients with moderate or mild dementia.
Sleep disturbances are widespread among demented residents of board and care homes and are a leading cause for transfer into nursing homes. This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a 4-week Sleep Education Program (SEP) for demented residents of board and care homes who are experiencing sleep disturbances. Residents of adult family homes (board and care homes with 2-6 residents) will be randomized into SEP or usual care control. Analysis of outcomes will determine whether the SEP is feasible and effective in adult family home settings, and whether the SEP delays transition into higher levels of institutional care.
The purpose of this research study is to learn whether it is possible and useful for caregivers to report behavioral or psychological symptoms of people with mild memory problems or Alzheimer's disease through a smartphone mobile application. The investigators believe that monitoring these symptoms and having a tool, like a mobile application, can provide quicker accessibility to the patient's clinical care team, which could improve care for patients and caregivers. These types of symptoms found in patients with mild memory problems or Alzheimer's disease are any type of psychiatric symptoms or abnormal behaviors one might develop as the result of these brain illnesses. Examples of psychological and behavioral symptoms are depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, agitation, and hallucinations. These symptoms differ from regular psychiatric symptoms, because they are caused by mild memory problems or Alzheimer's disease (AD). These symptoms can cause a lot of distress for patients and caregivers, and can lead to greater use of healthcare services.
This protocol focuses on the effect of sleep interventions on improving sleep and building cognitive/brain resilience in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance. Two sleep interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) and acoustic slow-wave activity enhancement (SWAE), will be utilized in a pilot randomized clinical trial in which participants are randomized to different treatment groups (CBTI or SWAE). Participants will be assessed over a 6-month period in order to examine the impact of sleep treatments on neuropsychological outcomes and cognitively mediated everyday functioning.