Clinical Research Directory

Brain Response to an Intervention Using Guided, At-Home Technology for the Mind

The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of two digital programs for providing mental stimulation, improving cognition, and inducing changes in brain structure and function.

Biomarkers of Brain Health in Blast Overpressure Exposure

The purpose of this study is to learn whether headsets that measure brainwaves can find early signs of changes in brain health in tactical operators who train near explosive blasts. Tactical operators are often near blasts during training. These blasts might change how the brain works over time, even if a person feels fine now. This study uses headsets that measure electrical brainwaves to see if they can detect early changes before they cause problems such as memory loss or blurred vision. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Can useful brainwave data be recorded during real breaching training, using sensors built into tactical hearing protection? * Do brainwave patterns change after blast exposure, compared with a person's own Day 1 baseline? * Do those brainwave changes line up with the amount of blast pressure a person was exposed to, with changes in balance and thinking, and with the symptoms they report? This is an observational study. It adds no new training activities and does not change how close participants stand to a blast or how many blasts they are near. The research team observes and records during training that is already scheduled. About 12 people taking part in Guild Solutions breaching training near Ottawa, Canada will join. The study lasts five days. Most sessions take about 5 to 10 minutes, except the Day 1 baseline session, which takes longer. Participants will: * Answer questions on Day 1 about sleep, stress, and habits; about any symptoms they have now, such as dizziness; and about how many blasts they were near in the past three months * Take balance and thinking tests on a phone or tablet using the Sway Concussion app by Healthy Roster. On Day 1 these take about 15 minutes together (about 7 minutes each). On later days they take about 3 minutes each * The balance test asks the participant to hold certain stances, such as one foot in front of the other, or standing on one foot. The thinking tests ask the participant to move the device when the screen changes color, and to remember three letters while playing a Simon-Says-style game * Sit still for 3-minute "neural snapshot" brainwave recordings, alternating between eyes open and eyes closed. On training days these are collected in the morning, before and after each breaching exercise, and in the evening * Answer a short symptom questionnaire in the morning, before and after each breaching exercise, and in the evening, plus a daily log of sleep and substance use * Wear a Blast Tracker 4 blast sensor during breaching exercises * Wear the AMP Neuro headset, which is built into tactical hearing protection, during breaching exercises. Because each breaching round has three active breachers, participants wear it in rotating groups of three, so everyone wears it at some point during the week The headsets use passive sensors that only listen to the brain's own electrical activity. They do not send electricity into the head. These devices have not been approved by Health Canada. They are used in this study only as non-invasive tools to record research data; the study is not evaluating the devices for medical safety or effectiveness. Anyone who feels uncomfortable or no longer wants to take part can remove the headset and leave the session at once. On the breaching range, participants should speak with an onsite instructor first, for their own safety. Taking part is voluntary. Individual results are not shared with Guild Solutions leadership or instructors in any way that would identify a participant, and the decision to join or not join has no effect on training, performance appraisal, or employment.

Long-term Effects of Avocado Consumption on Health in Pre-diabetic Individuals

Primary aim of the study is to assess the effect of 12-week daily avocado consumption on cerebral blood flow and markers of cardio- and vascular health in both, the periphery and the brain, in pre-diabetic individuals with overweight or obesity. Secondary objective is to assess the effects of 12-week daily avocado consumption on brain insulin sensitivity after intranasal insulin delivery, vascular function, markers of metabolic health, cognition, and psychological well-being. For that purpose a total of 34 men and women between the ages of 40-75 years old, will participate in a randomised crossover intervention study.

A Prospective Clinical Study Observed the Effects of Tubeless Anesthesia Method That Preserves Spontaneous Breathing and the Double-lumen Bronchial Intubation on the Brain Health During the Perioperative Period

This project conducts a prospective cohort study. By using multiple questionnaire survey methods such as the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) electronic wristband, QOR15, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), European Five-Dimensional Health Scale (EQ-5D), Revised American Pain Society Patient Follow-up Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), as well as perioperative stress and related indicators, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) endocrine indicators, sublingual microcirculation, electroencephalogram, etc., comprehensive assessment is made of the correlations between the two different anesthesia methods of Tubeless retention of spontaneous breathing and double-lumen bronchial intubation and postoperative sleep, chronic pain and cognitive function, to construct a perioperative brain health safety system to improve prognosis; at the same time, optimize the perioperative sedation and analgesia plan and promote the postoperative brain health recovery of patients.

Effects of Acute Ketone Supplementation on the Brain

The purpose of this study is to determine how a ketone ester supplement affects brain function, brain blood flow, and brain metabolism in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Ketones are naturally produced by the body during periods of fasting or carbohydrate restriction and serve as an alternative fuel source for the brain. Researchers are interested in whether increasing blood ketone levels through supplementation can alter brain activity and blood flow in ways that may support healthy brain function. Participants will consume a ketone ester supplement and a placebo in separate study visits. Brain imaging, blood measurements, and cognitive testing will be used to evaluate the effects of each intervention. Findings from this study will help researchers better understand how ketones influence the healthy aging brain and may provide preliminary data for future studies in populations at risk for cognitive decline.

Lombard Cohort of Brain Health Services

The goal of this multicenter prospective observational cohort study is to better understand the clinical, neuropsychological, and biological characteristics of individuals attending Brain Health Services (BHS) in the Lombardy region. The study focuses on adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), functional cognitive disorder (FCD), or "well worried" individuals without objective cognitive impairment. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What clinical, cognitive, and biological differences exist between individuals who are positive versus negative for Alzheimer's disease (AD) plasma biomarkers (p-tau217) at baseline? * What factors predict positivity to AD biomarkers at baseline? * How does communication of biomarker results (risk disclosure) affect psychological well-being shortly after receiving results? * What factors predict longitudinal changes in AD biomarkers over 5 years? * Do baseline biomarkers predict the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia during follow-up? Participants will: * Undergo standard clinical evaluation at their local BHS * Provide blood samples for plasma biomarker analysis (e.g., p-tau217, GFAP, NfL, ApoE) * Undergo neuropsychological testing and cognitive screening * Complete questionnaires assessing psychological impact and risk perception (before and after biomarker disclosure) * Undergo additional center-specific procedures when clinically indicated (e.g., MRI, lumbar puncture, polysomnography) * Be followed annually for 5 years The study plans to enroll approximately 1000 participants across multiple BHS in Lombardy and will follow them for a total duration of 7 years. The results will help clarify the role of biomarkers in early cognitive complaints and support the development of preventive strategies within BHS.

L-serine and Strength Training in the Elderly

This study investigates whether taking the amino acid L-serine, either alone or in combination with targeted strength training, can have a positive effect on mental performance, brain function, and physical fitness in older people. Healthy, independent women and men aged 65 to 85 are eligible to participate. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, L-serine, or L-serine combined with strength training. Cognitive tests, physical performance tests, and blood and brain tests will be conducted over a period of 48 weeks. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how nutrition and exercise can contribute to healthy aging.

Sleep, Glucose, and Brain Health in Obesity and Overweight Individuals

The primary aim of the NNF study is to investigate both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sleep patterns-measured over two consecutive weeks at baseline and again one year later-and indicators of glycemic control and brain health in a cohort of middle-aged adults. Through this effort, the investigators hope to identify potential sleep-related biomarkers and behavioral targets for early intervention to support metabolic and cognitive health.

Investigating the Combined Effects of Intermittent Hypoxia and Exercise on Cognitive and Cerebral Function in Middle-Aged Adults

This study investigates whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) and physical activity (PA), either alone or in combination (simultaneously or sequentially), can improve cognitive function and brain health in middle-aged adults (50-65 years old). The hypothesis is that (1) each intervention alone (IHT or PA) provides cognitive benefits and (2) combining IHT with PA may yield additive or synergistic effects, particularly when administered simultaneously rather than sequentially. By comparing these distinct interventions, the study aims to determine which approach best preserves or enhances cognitive performance in middle-aged adults. Findings from this research may inform non-pharmacological strategies to promote healthy aging and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

The Effects of Night Shift Work on Health Across the Menstrual Cycle

The study aims to investigate the effects of sleep deprivation on women's health across different phases of the menstrual cycle.