Clinical Research Directory

ECCA's Turkish Validity and Reliability Study and Comparison With Other Cognitive Assessment Tests

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the oldest biological treatment methods used in psychiatry, based on inducing widespread seizures in the brain with externally applied controlled electrical currents. It was first applied in 1938 by Italian physician Ugo Cerletti and his assistant Lucio Bini. A 1974 report by the American Psychiatric Association stated that ECT was effective in treating depression, mania, and refractory schizophrenia, and it is still used today as an effective and safe method, particularly in the treatment of severe major depression, catatonia, schizophrenia, and mania. Although the exact mechanism of action of ECT is not fully understood, it is suggested that it increases brain receptor sensitivity, accelerates serotonin and dopamine metabolism, activates monoaminergic systems, regulates the circadian rhythm, and provides synchronization between brain hemispheres. In addition, it has been shown to affect neurotransmitter levels, neuroendocrine responses, and neurogenesis processes. Anterograde and retrograde amnesia are among the cognitive side effects that can be seen in the subacute phase of ECT. While anterograde amnesia usually resolves within a few months after treatment, retrograde amnesia can be permanent in some cases. Therefore, assessment of cognitive function before, during, and after ECT is recommended. In clinical practice, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Test (MMSE) are frequently used for cognitive assessment. However, these scales were not developed to assess ECT-specific cognitive effects and may be limited in detecting retrograde memory loss, autobiographical memory impairments, and subjective memory complaints. Therefore, there is a need for more sensitive tools that can assess ECT-specific cognitive side effects. The Electroconvulsive Cognitive Assessment Test (ECCA), developed for this purpose by Adriana P. Hermida and colleagues from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University in Atlanta, is a structured assessment tool consisting of 30 items. The test; The ECCA assesses five cognitive domains: subjective memory, caregiver-assessed memory, attention, autobiographical memory, and delayed verbal recall. A study in the UK compared the ECCA with the MoCA and showed that the ECCA may be more sensitive in assessing cognitive function in individuals undergoing ECT. Similarly, a study in China reported that the ECCA was more sensitive than the MMSE and MoCA in assessing cognitive changes in patients with major depressive disorder after ECT. In conclusion, the limitations of current tools in assessing cognitive function during ECT necessitate the development of ECT-specific measurement tools. In this context, the ECCA is considered an important tool for clinical decision-making and post-treatment cognitive monitoring. Scales are measurement tools used to classify and rate the characteristics to be measured. Scale adaptation studies save time compared to developing a new scale and allow the use of common data collection tools in different cultures. Therefore, conducting validity and reliability studies of tests is of great scientific importance. To conduct a validity and reliability study of the ECCA test in Turkey, the necessary permission was obtained from the test developer, Adriana Hermida. During the translation process, the test was translated from English to Turkish by five independent individuals, and then back-translated by five different individuals. The translations were compared to ensure consistency, and the process was also verified by a sworn translator.

Snacks and Brain Health

This project will investigate whether daily snack consumption can improve memory, mood, and overall brain function in people with cognitive impairment. Sixty participants, aged 50 and older, with cognitive impairment, will be randomly assigned to eat snacks, either pecans or pretzels, for three months. Researchers will also study how snacks (pecans and pretzels) may influence the body, including changes in gut bacteria, blood markers of inflammation, and signals that connect the gut and the brain.

Evaluation of the Impact of a Nutritional Formulation on Cognitive Performance Following Stress Exposure.

The proposed project will evaluate the synergistic effects of a nutritional formulation, 'Think Tank' on cognitive performance following exposure to a psychological and physical stressor. Adopting a double-blind repeated measures cross-over design, middle-aged females (40-60 years) will be recruited to take part in a two-stage research study that will examine whether the formulation enhances cognitive performance and subjective well-being following the challenge of a stressor, compared to placebo. Cognitive assessments will examine the impact of the nutritional formulation on working memory, sustained attention, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. The study will also assess physiological (heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol) and subjective (well-being, anxiety, positive and negative mood, stress) markers of stress reactivity. The study will also explore levels sleep quality, mental and physical fatigue, effort, productivity, and perceived impact of the intervention.

Effects of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Cognitive Performance and Sex Differences

This study investigates the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on cognitive performance in healthy adults. The study uses a sham-controlled, cross-over design in which each participant receives both active taVNS and sham stimulation in separate sessions. Each participant completes both conditions (active and sham) in a randomized order using a crossover design. Cognitive performance will be assessed before and after each session using standardized tests. The study also explores whether males and females respond differently to taVNS, in order to identify potential sex-related differences in cognitive outcomes.

Cannabis Abstinence and Neurocognitive Assessment in Adolescence

Cannabis Abstinence and Neurocognitive Assessment in Adolescence