Cognitive Impairment clinical trials at UCLA
4 in progress, 2 open to eligible people
Brain Health in Breast Cancer Survivors
open to eligible females ages 35-65
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.
Los Angeles, California
Carotid Revascularization and Medical Management for Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Trial - Hemodynamics (CREST-H)
open to eligible people ages 35-86
We aim to determine whether cognitive impairment attributable to cerebral hemodynamic impairment in patients with high-grade asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis is reversible with restoration of flow. To accomplish this aim CREST-H will add on to the NINDS-sponsored CREST-2 trial (parallel, outcome-blinded Phase 3 clinical trials for patients with asymptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis which will compare carotid endarterectomy plus intensive medical management (IMM) versus IMM alone (n=1,240), and carotid artery stenting plus IMM versus IMM alone (n=1,240) to prevent stroke and death). CREST-H addresses the intriguing question of whether cognitive impairment can be reversed when it arises from abnormal cerebral hemodynamic perfusion in a hemodynamically impaired subset of the CREST-2 -randomized patients. We will enroll 385 patients from CREST-2, all of whom receive cognitive assessments at baseline and yearly thereafter. We anticipate identifying 100 patients with hemodynamic impairment as measured by an inter-hemispheral MRI perfusion "time to peak" (TTP) delay on the side of stenosis. Among those who are found to be hemodynamically impaired and have baseline cognitive impairment, the cognitive batteries at baseline and at 1 year will determine if those with flow failure who are randomized to a revascularization arm in CREST-2 will have better cognitive outcomes than those in the medical-only arm compared with this treatment difference for those who have no flow failure. We hypothesize that hemodynamically significant "asymptomatic" carotid disease may represent one of the few examples of treatable causes of cognitive impairment. If cognitive decline can be reversed in these patients, then we will have established a new indication for carotid revascularization independent of the risk of recurrent stroke.
Los Angeles, California and other locations
Low Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Learning and Memory
Sorry, in progress, not accepting new patients
Hippocampus and medial temporal lobe (MTL)-dependent memory is impacted by a wide range of psychiatric and neurologic conditions. These cognitive limitations often result in limited functional abilities for patients. Currently available pharmacologic and behavioral treatments are somewhat controversial and have minimal evidence-based effectiveness. Recently, deep brain stimulation was used to modulate MTL activity and subsequently improve memory performance. However, such implantable devices require neurosurgery with major associated health risk. At present, there are no publications reporting non-invasive neurostimulation targeting MTL regions to improve memory. The central hypothesis of this project is that non-invasive, low intensity focused ultrasound pulsation (LIFUP) can selectively increase regional MTL activity and thus be used as a cognitive neural prosthetic capable of improving memory performance. The aims of this study focus on whether LIFUP can increased blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activation in the entorhinal cortex and functionally associated regions, whether this increased activation is greater using short train or long train LIFUP parameters, and whether this LIFUP-induced activation, when applied during learning, results in improved memory.
Los Angeles, California
Remimazolam for Cataract Surgery
Sorry, not yet accepting patients
The goal of this study is to assess any post operative cognitive changes following benzodiazepine administration during cataract surgery. The investigators will compare effects of Midazolam vs. Remimazolam on cognition at the time of discharge from the post operative care unit and the next day following surgery. Cognitive changes will be assessed by administration of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Participants will: 1. Complete MoCA testing prior to surgery 2. Randomize in either Midazolam or study drug Remimazolam 3. Complete MoCA testing after surgery at the time of discharge in the post anesthesia care unit and the next day of surgery at the time of post operative surgical visit. 4. Complete Patient Satisfaction Survey at the time of discharge from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Los Angeles, California
Our lead scientists for Cognitive Impairment research studies include Kathleen Van Dyk, PhD Zhuang Fang, MD.
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