Language, Speech and Motor Function in MCI Due to AD and Alzheimer's Disease

Launched by HANZE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES GRONINGEN · Jul 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how language, speech, and movement are affected in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease and those with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to understand the connections between changes in these areas, which can help researchers learn more about how Alzheimer's affects daily life. Participants in the study will be compared to a control group of older adults who do not have cognitive impairment.

To be eligible for the study, participants must have a diagnosis of MCI or Alzheimer's disease and be able to walk independently. They will undergo tests to measure their movement, such as walking and hand strength, as well as tests to assess their speech and language abilities. It's important to note that individuals with other neurological or psychiatric disorders, significant hearing or vision loss that impacts communication, or certain other health conditions will not be included in the study. If you or a loved one might be interested in participating, this trial could provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by those living with Alzheimer's disease.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• A subject with MCI with a likelihood of underlying AD pathophysiology must meet the following criteria:
• • Established diagnosis of MCI due to AD with a likelihood according to NIA-AA criteria (Albert et al., 2011).
• • A score of stage three on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) (Reisberg et al., 1982).
• A subject with AD must meet the following criteria:
• • Established diagnosis of AD (amnestic or non-amnestic) or etiologically mixed presentation of AD according to DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) or NINCDS-ARDRA criteria (Jack et al., 2018; McKann et al., 2011).
• • The following scores on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS): four for mild AD, five for moderate AD (Reisberg et al., 1982).
• All subjects of the control group must meet the following criteria:
• • A score of stage one or two on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) (Reisberg et al., 1982).
• • They are age-matched with the MCI due to AD or AD patients included in the study.
• All subjects must meet the following criteria:
• • First language is Dutch and/or Frisian.
• • Able to walk independently with or without walking aid.
• • Able to squeeze with each hand.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• A subject with MCI due to AD or AD who meets the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • Having a neurological or neurodegenerative disease or disorder that may be contributing to cognitive impairment above and beyond that caused by AD or mixed AD; Down's syndrome, other subtypes of dementia, autism spectrum disorder.
• • Having an established diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder, e.g. schizophrenia, depression.
• All subjects in the control group who meets following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • ● Suffers from a neurological, neurodegenerative or psychiatric disease or disorder.
• All subjects in any group who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• • Hearing loss (with or without hearing aid) that affects communication.
• • Vision loss (with or without glasses or lenses) that affects communication.
• • History of language problems, speech problems or dyslexia.
• • Suffers from additional disorders or diseases which may limit gait, hand grip strength, language and/or speech.
• • Medication use that influence gait, hand grip strength, speech or language performance at time of testing.
• • Being terminally ill (i.e., life expectancy \< 2 weeks according to the attending physician).