22 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the experimental treatment (cognitive training) further outlined in this protocol on the cognitive abilities (e.g., processing speed, attention, working memory, and executive function), brain functionality, functional status and quality of life of individuals with age-related cognitive decline as compared to a computer-based active control.
This project will study the effects and mechanisms of a music improvisation training intervention on self-regulation of older adults with and without MCI. The investigator's overall hypothesis is that improvisation training will lead to improvements in self-regulation, compared to controls, and that improvisation training will be associated with specific changes in prefrontal brain networks and ultimately cognitive engagement.
The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if adding avocados to the diet of impacts cognition in 70 older adults, age 65-85, without dementia. We will test for change in functional MRI, cognitive performance, and brain blood flow. Intervention group participants will be asked to consume 1 avocado per day for 12 weeks. Participants in the control group will be asked to continue their normal intake for 12 weeks. Throughout the study, participants will be asked to perform cognitive tests, MRI, blood tests, and questionnaires.
This project will develop and test the effects and mechanisms of a music improvisation training intervention on self-regulation of older adults with and without MCI. The investigator's overall hypothesis is that improvisation training will lead to improvements in self-regulation, compared to controls, and that improvisation training will be associated with specific changes in prefrontal brain networks and ultimately cognitive engagement.
The proposed project will evaluate the role of neuroimaging biomarkers of brain aging (i.e., neurodegenerative and vascular brain changes) and mild cognitive impairment in the patterns of treatment response to memantine combined with escitalopram compared to escitalopram and placebo.
The goal of this study is to learn if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment, a major cause of falls, in older adults with balance problems. The technique to manipulate the brain using magnets is known as transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS. The main questions this study aims to answer are: * How does TMS change communication between brain areas? * Does TMS improve balance ability in older adults with balance problems? Researchers will compare the TMS group to a placebo group to see if manipulating the brain using magnets works to treat balance impairment. Participants will: * Receive TMS or placebo stimulation for 4 weeks. * Visit the laboratory for checkups and tests 3 times.
The current study is a mechanistic study to evaluate working memory gains from application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in older adults with mild cognitive impairments (MCI) compared to cognitively healthy control
In this crossover study, the investigtors will administer two experimental diets in a random order for one week, and each experimental diet will be preceded by a one-week, low fat control diet for a total four-week study period. The goal is to study how the fatty acid content of the diet affects brain functioning in healthy adults aged 65-75 years. One experimental diet will have a high palmitic acid (PA)/oleic acid (OA) ratio (HPA), typical of the North American diet. The other experimental diet will have a low PA/OA ratio (HOA), typical of the Mediterranean Diet. All allowed food and drink (except water) will be provided by the investigative team, and compliance will be enhanced by constant, intense dietary surveillance by a registered dietitian.
As the population ages, it is also growing more diverse. Twelve percent of older Latinos are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it is estimated that the number of Latinos with AD will increase by 832% by 2060. Pharmacological treatments available for cognitive decline/ADRD have shown limited effectiveness in reducing cognitive and functional decline. Evidence suggests that protective factors for AD include regular physical activity (PA). Unfortunately, older Latinos are 46% less likely to engage in leisure time PA than older non-Latino whites. The investigators propose that indoor PA programs can overcome the biggest barriers to participation. Marquez and colleagues created a Spanish-language, Latin dance program (BAILAMOS™ - Balance and Activity In Latinos, Addressing Mobility in Older Adults). Smaller studies of BAILAMOS™ have found greater improvement in global cognition in the dance group compared to a health education group, and increases in brain functional connectivity. UIC faculty have also designed and tested Fit \& Strong!, a PA program for older adults with arthritis, that is recognized by the National Council on Aging as an Evidence-based program and have established the feasibility of ¡En Forma y Fuerte!, an adaptation of Fit \& Strong! for Latinos with arthritis. A small trial found significant improvements in lower-extremity strength, perceived physical function, and pain from baseline to 8 weeks (p \< .05) that were maintained at 6 months. No major program adaptations (other than language) were observed or reported; however, the instructors provided several suggestions for program improvements, including adjusting the literacy level and length of the program. The current pandemic allows the investigators to adapt both of these evidence informed programs, the BAILAMOS™ dance program and ¡En Forma y Fuerte!, for remote delivery among older Latinos (i.e., BAILAMOS™ @home/en casa and ¡En Forma y Fuerte! @home/en casa). The overall purpose is to implement promising, evidence-informed interventions and solutions to reduce risk for ADRD and improve quality of life for persons with symptoms of cognitive decline.
This study will analyze the influence of acute bout exercise intensities (continuous moderate and HIIT) on middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) to identify which intensity elicits the greatest increase in CBF in older adults (65+ yrs). Additionally, this study will help verify positive correlations between MCAv and cognitive function. These findings are important in determining the optimal exercise prescription for increased resilience against the age-related cognitive degradation.
Although the majority of older adults are aware of the compelling evidence that regular exercise is critical to the maintenance of health into old age, most do not meet recommendations for daily exercise. This lack of engagement in 'goal-directed' physical activity stems from numerous interrelated factors including lack of motivation, depressed mood, and cognitive "executive" impairments that diminish one's ability to regulate behavior over time. Intriguingly, each of these factors has been linked to the function of brain networks that include the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive and safe means of modulating the excitability of specific brain regions and their connected neural networks. tDCS designed to facilitate the excitability of the left dlPFC has been shown to improve motivation, mood, and multiple aspects of executive function in healthy adults. The investigators thus hypothesize that tDCS holds promise to increase goal-directed physical activity in older adults. This project aims to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial on the feasibility and effects of a 2-week, 10-session tDCS intervention targeting the left dlPFC, combined with behavioral intervention aimed at increases daily physical activity, on physical activity over a two-month follow-up period, in relatively sedentary older adults without overt illness or disease.
The goal of the present randomized control trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a novel cognitive training approach using simulated games, where older adults will learn to flexibly deploy attentional control during working memory, for prevention of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Based on our extensive pilot work, we expect training-related enhancements in both neural and cognitive functions on a broad range of cognitive abilities due to the importance of attentional control and working memory in many types of cognition. These outcomes are widely applicable to the cognitive health and the quality of life of elderly Americans, and have further potential to offset degenerative processes common to normal aging.
The objective of this study is to determine the central neural control of mobility in older adults by acquiring data with multiple modalities of neuroimaging (EEG, fNIRS, MRI) and associating these data with a comprehensive set of diverse mobility outcomes (clinic-based walking, complex walking and community mobility measures).
The proposed study will evaluate the safety, durability and efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as a promising non-invasive therapeutic treatment for improving memory in older adults with mild or moderate Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) who have been experiencing residual memory or cognitive problems that affect daily functioning.
An accumulating body of research indicates that activities such as exercise, active cognitive and social engagement, good sleep hygiene, stress reduction and proper nutrition are associated with the maintenance of cognitive health. Emerging data also suggests that healthy lifestyle behaviors may promote brain plasticity. Despite nationwide efforts to raise public awareness about brain health, there remains a gap concerning how to best promote behavioral change and help at-risk middle-aged and older adults adopt effective, evidence-based brain health behaviors into their everyday lives to maximize cognitive health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a 7-week group brain fitness intervention (B-Fit) for increasing preventative brain health behaviors and enhancing cognitive health in participants at-risk for cognitive impairment. We will also examine mechanisms of action of the B-Fit intervention through tracking of behavioral responses in the real-world environment using wearable sensors.
The tDCS \& Dual Tasking study will compare the effects of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) targeting three different cortical regions (as well as sham stimulation) on dual task standing and walking in older adults with and without a recent history of recurrent falls.
This project evaluates the effects of piano training and computerized cognitive training on cognitive performance in healthy older adults compared to controls. The project is intended for healthy older adults (60-80 years) with little to no previous musical training (less than three years of prior musical training or cognitive training and not currently engaged in music reading or musical performance, less than 10 hours of previous cognitive training). Investigators anticipate that musical engagement will serve as an enjoyable cognitive intervention for older adults. Investigators believe that piano training will enhance cognitive performance on executive functions essential for maintaining independence in older adulthood. Learning a musical instrument, while challenging, will improve self-efficacy, mood, and qualtiy of life. Participants engaged in piano training will demonstrate reduced cortisol levels and increased immune function responses. Investigators predict that adults enrolled in computerized cognitive training will demonstrate enhanced memory, working memory and self-efficacy post-training.
The objective of this study is to determine whether augmentation of prefrontal brain excitability using noninvasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) lessens the severity of the symptom triad associated with cerebral microvascular disease (CMD); that is, slow gait, cognitive dysfunction and depressive symptoms. Investigators will complete this objective by conducting a pilot, double-blinded randomized controlled trial of a 10-day intervention of real versus sham tDCS in 40 subjects.
This study is being conducted to assess the effect of dietary strawberry supplementation on cognition and mobility in older adults. It is hypothesized that plant compounds, present in strawberries, may improve cognition and mobility by protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation.
This study is being conducted to assess the effect of dietary blueberry supplementation on cognition and mobility in older adults. It is hypothesized that plant compounds, present in blueberries, may improve cognition and mobility by protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation.
The objective of this study is to determine the effects of a 6-month, home-based personalized transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) intervention targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cognitive function, dual task standing and walking, and other metrics of mobility in older adults with motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR).
This is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial designed to test the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on validated biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, and behavioral, neurocognitive, and clinical measures, with putative mechanisms of action.