Clinical Research Directory

Dual Orexin Antagonism and Emotion and Affective Processing Study

In this study, the investigators will examine the effects of blocking the orexin system on human behaviour and brain function using daridorexant, a medication that inhibits orexin activity. Orexin is a brain chemical involved in regulating sleep, emotion, motivation, and stress responses, which are often disrupted in mental health disorders. Healthy volunteers will be randomly assigned to receive a single dose of daridorexant or placebo in a double-blind design. Participants will then complete behavioural and cognitive tasks assessing emotional processing, aversive learning, and executive function. The study aims to clarify the role of orexin in emotional and cognitive processes relevant to conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Turkish Validation of the Parkinson Disease Cognitive Functional Rating Scale

The aim of the present study is to translate the Parkinson's Disease-Cognitive Functional Rating Scale into Turkish (PD-CFRS-Turkish version) and to evaluate its validity and reliability.

Group Recreation to Enhance Function Aging

Investigators will develop and deliver a community-based recreation program, delivering group artmaking and group SMARTfit dual-task exergaming to community-dwelling older adults. The program will be delivered through the Buffalo-Niagara YMCA. Outcomes of interest are change in cognitive function and change in physical functioning, inresponse to 24 weeks of weekly training.

This Study Investigates β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) and 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA), When Administered Either Individually or in Combination Contributes to an Increased Quality of Health, Specifically Improving Muscular Strength and Cognitive Functioning in Adults Over the Age of 65.

In this study, participants will be assigned to receive HMB, 2-HOBA, a combination of both, or a comparison supplement for a set period of time. During the study, participants will attend scheduled visits where researchers will assess muscle strength, physical function, and overall health. Blood samples may be collected to measure markers related to metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Study staff will also monitor safety and any side effects throughout the study.

The Effect of General Anesthesia with Remimazolam and Propofol on Rhythmic State and Cognitive Function

This study want to observe the effects of remimazolam and propofol for general anesthesia on postoperative rhythm and cognitive function. The observation group was given remimazolam for general anesthesia, and the control group was given propofol for general anesthesia. Both drugs are commonly used as intravenous anesthetics for general anesthesia and have been shown to be safe for use in general anesthesia. The investigators hope can understand the effects of remimazolam and propofol for general anesthesia on rhythm status and cognitive function through this study, further reduce the occurrence of postoperative cognitive function impairment, and enable subjects to better recover.

Expected and Actual Preterm-Birth and Parental Distress: Impact on Children's Mental Health

The purpose of the present study is the assessment of the mental health and cognitive development of children 6-11 years after premature or term birth. Impairments in children's' mental health are assessed focusing different disorders or problems (ADHD, Autism traits, Affective disorders, oppositional-aggressive behavior) and using both questionnaires and a clinical interview. Risk and protective factors will be analyzed, e.g., threat and/or actual premature birth compared to term birth, parents' mental health, positive coping, personality traits and social support in the peripartum period and afterwards, as well as medical parameters. The potential interaction of premature birth, medical complications, parental distress and children's mental health will be taken into consideration.

Assessing Modified CBTi in Adults with Insomnia Disorder

Sleep is a biological need, crucial for maintaining overall health and resiliency. Sleep disorders disrupt this normal functioning. Insomnia disorder is the most prevalent sleep disorder and yields costs to the U.S. Healthcare System in billions of dollars per year. Chronic insomnia has been linked to numerous physical and psychological health outcomes as well as increased mortality. There is also evidence that insomnia is a risk factor for worse inflammation, worse neurological functioning, cognitive performance, and mild cognitive impairment, including cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and faster genetic and brain aging. Moreover, in patients with Alzheimer's disease those with insomnia showed a faster progression to dementia. Better sleep health provides neuroprotection against this decline. Impairment in objective and subjective cognitive performance, highlights the utility of treating insomnia to potentially improve cognitive outcomes during midlife and insomnia symptoms are a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi) is the gold-standard, first line recommended treatment for insomnia, and has considerably better long-term outcomes than medications. CBTi decreases insomnia symptom severity by 50%. CBTi also appears to improve cognitive functioning. However, CBTi is underutilized, training is limited, and medical professionals are implementing treatment approaches inconsistent with empirically supported guidelines. Insomnia symptoms are being inadequately treated while misinformation and misconceptions about insomnia disorder, CBTi, and actual therapeutic effects are being propagated. Moreover, sedating medications are currently the most commonly used treatment for insomnia, which is problematic because the potential side effects can have major implications for the aging population. Additionally, some patients continue to experience insomnia symptoms even when taking sleep medication, which can lead to increase dosages, dependence on, and tolerance to these medications, further emphasizing the importance of CBTi. There is also a need for more readily accessible, short-term, modified treatments for insomnia disorder. A modified format of CBTi may assist in dissemination of effective treatments while also providing the potential for adapting this treatment to specific client characteristics. To address this need, we will modify CBTi and conduct a pilot randomized clinical trial to test these modifications. The proposed project will include two primary aims in establishing a foundation needed to examine individual benefits of the components of CBTi. These aims will aid in the continuation of investigation to better assess treatment outcomes, create transdiagnostic treatment plans, and provide individualized health care through accessible psychotherapy. Obtaining a better understanding of the predictors of successful treatment may improve our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of successful treatment. Ultimately, this improved understanding may help to improve treatment for insomnia disorder, improve cognitive functioning, and potentially reduced risk for cognitive decline associated with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and related dementias. Improved treatment outcomes utilizing specific core components of CBTi may result in improvements of insomnia disorder and cognitive functioning and would provide a major step forward in understanding the mechanisms underlying the etiology and maintenance of insomnia as well as how risks associated with mild cognitive impairment and cognitive decline might be mitigated. Lastly, this proposed project allows for proof of concept and for collaborations to be made within the medical and mental health communities in Pocatello, ID and surrounding areas, decreasing barriers to treatment and improving treatment dissemination.