Clinical Research Directory

Analysis of NfL and GFAP in Different Dietary Patterns

This observational study aims to investigate the impact of different dietary patterns on brain tissue biomarkers in healthy young adults by measuring blood levels of NfL and GFAP. The primary research question is: Do vegan, vegetarian, or omnivorous diets influence NfL and GFAP levels?

Medium-term Effects of Treatments in Autoimmune Encephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitides are severe neurological disorders requiring urgent treatment, even though there is no standard guideline by lack of empirical evidence. Commonly used treatments are divided into so-called first-line (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchanges) and second-line (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, tocilizumab, others), and may be used in association or sequentially. There is no standard practice, and initial treatment protocol may consist in first-line alone, first-line with rituximab, or first-line with dual immunosuppression (rituximab and cyclophosphamide). Absence of clear response to initial treatment in the first 4 to 6 weeks may indicate undertreatment and is generally followed by treatment escalation, mostly to dual immunosuppression. However, as the frequency of non-responders to initial treatment is unknown, it is still unclear whether dual immunosuppression should be offered to all patients from inception.

Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Relationship to Inflammatory and Neurodegenerative Markers of the Disease

The study is focused on several independent quantifiable biomarkers (sNfL, sGFAP, mitochondrial activity, genetics and fatigue tests) to obtain more detailed information about MS and its progression. Based on the results, investigator will further attempt to predict the course of the disease and manage the therapy more effectively to prevent worsening of the patient's condition.

Association of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation with Digital Cognitive Training for Cognitive Remediation in Older Adults

BACKGROUND Cognitive decline in older adults, especially those who develop Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease, currently has limited options of pharmacological treatments, with modest efficacy. Digital Cognitive Training (DCT) and Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) are two promising tools for cognitive remediation in this population. In this exploratory study, we investigate feasibility, tolerability and preliminary effects of the association of both interventions in older adults with cognitive complaints. METHODS Older adults with cognitive complaints are being enrolled for this study, which comprises 5 daily sessions of 30 minutes of DCT using the BrainHQ platform while simultaneously receiving theta tACS (6Hz, 1.6mA) targeting the Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex.