Clinical Research Directory

HOBSCOTCH-YOUTH and Young Adults

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn more about the home-based epilepsy self-management program, HOBSCOTCH, for improving cognitive function (thinking and memory) and quality of life specifically in young adults, ages 18 - 29 years, who have epilepsy. It will also learn if a modification of the program for youth with epilepsy, ages 13 - 17, improves thinking and memory and quality of life and reduces stress for their parents. Researchers will enroll 260 young adults with epilepsy and 40 youth with epilepsy and their parent or guardian. Researchers will compare responses to questionnaires and surveys before and after participation in the HOBSCOTCH program to see if thinking, memory and quality of life have improved for young adults and youth with epilepsy and to see if parents have improved quality of life as well. Participants will: * Attend 9 weekly one-hour sessions of the HOBSCOTH program in their homes with a one-on-one coach using their computer or their phone; youth with epilepsy (ages 13 - 17) will attend alongside a parent or legal guardian. * Keep a short daily diary about their seizures and activity in the program using a smart phone app(lication) * Complete surveys and questionnaires before HOBSCOTCH and 3 months and 6 months later. There are no study visits to a medical center. HOBSCOTCH is a virtual or telehealth intervention.

Cognitive-Based Balance Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease: Virtual Reality vs. Dual Task

This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-based balance rehabilitation delivered via immersive Virtual Reality (VR) versus traditional Dual-Task Training (DTT) on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Postural instability and cognitive decline are hallmark features of progressive PD that significantly elevate fall risks and compromise daily independence, yet conventional pharmacological therapies offer limited effectiveness in restoring complex postural control. Given that motor and cognitive processes are intrinsically linked, this study addresses a critical gap in neurorehabilitation by investigating two contemporary modalities designed to challenge these systems simultaneously. A total of 34 participants diagnosed with PD (aged 40-80 years, Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III) will be randomly allocated to either the Dual-Task Group (DTG), receiving structured therapeutic exercises integrated with sequential cognitive tasks, or the Virtual Reality Group (VRG), engaging in an immersive balance program utilizing the Oculus Quest 2® headset with the FIT-XR application. Both groups will undergo an identical intervention protocol consisting of 45-minute supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks during their pharmacological "on" phase. Standardized assessments will be performed by a blinded clinician at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8). The primary outcome measures will be dynamic balance and gait assessed through the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) alongside global cognitive performance measured via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes will encompass objective posturographic indices using the Biodex Balance System, motor severity via the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), freezing of gait, health-related quality of life, global perceived improvement, and potential cyber-sickness symptoms monitored through the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to comprehensively determine the safety and comparative therapeutic value of these interventions.

Aβ PET and Tau PET Imaging in the Diagnosis and Progression Assessment of Alzheimer's Disease

This prospective study recruited 20 healthy volunteers and 50 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) according to clinical guidelines. Participants underwent AV45/AV-1 and AV1451 PET imaging to obtain information on Aβ protein deposition, tau protein distribution, and structural and functional information. The study aims to evaluate the value of multimodal imaging features in the diagnosis and progression assessment of AD, providing imaging evidence for novel treatment modalities such as lecanemab therapy and deep cervical vein-lymphatic anastomosis.

INSIDE: Intervention in Nutritional Supplementation to Improve Cognitive Decline in Elderly.

This study investigates the effect of nutritional supplementation on cognitive performance in older adults over a 90-day period using a double-blind randomized controlled design. The study includes 50 participants, aged 65 or older, randomly assigned to either a supplement group or a placebo group. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Assessments will be conducted pre- and post-intervention to determine the effect of the supplementation on cognitive performance. Key outcomes include cognitive status measured by MoCA, adherence to supplementation, and potential side effects. The findings will provide insights into the potential role of nutritional interventions in mitigating age-related cognitive decline.