Search for specific clinical trials that are underway using the keyword search below.
Patient support groups also offer information about clinical trials.
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NINDS Disorders is an index of neurological conditions provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This valuable tool offers detailed descriptions, facts on treatment and prognosis, and patient organization contact information for over 500 identified neurological disorders.
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| Genetics of Dementia | 04.01.2011 |
| ALZHEIMER DISEASE UPDATE | 04.01.2010 |
| RAPIDLY PROGRESSIVE DEMENTIA: PRION DISEASES AND OTHER RAPID DEMENTIAS | 04.01.2010 |
| NEUROIMAGING IN DEMENTIA | 04.01.2010 |
| UPDATE ON THE MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF PARKINSON DISEASE. | 02.01.2010 |
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| Differential Diagnosis of Dementia: Linking Clinical Syndromes to Biomarkers | 11.01.2010 |
| Improving Accuracy of Dementia Diagnosis: Case Studies with Both Imaging and Neuropathology | 11.01.2010 |
| Therapy in Neurology | 11.01.2010 |
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Dementia
Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of disorders that affect the brain. People with dementia have significantly impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with normal activities and relationships. They also lose their ability to solve problems and maintain emotional control, and they may experience personality changes and behavioral problems, such as agitation, delusions, and hallucinations. While memory loss is a common symptom of dementia, memory loss by itself does not mean that a person has dementia. Doctors diagnose dementia only if two or more brain functions - such as memory and language skills -- are significantly impaired without loss of consciousness. Some of the diseases that can cause symptoms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Doctors have identified other conditions that can cause dementia or dementia-like symptoms including reactions to medications, metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, infections, poisoning, brain tumors, anoxia or hypoxia (conditions in which the brain’s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely), and heart and lung problems. Although it is common in very elderly individuals, dementia is not a normal part of the aging process.
Treatment
Drugs to specifically treat Alzheimer’s disease and some other progressive dementias are now available. Although these drugs do not halt the disease or reverse existing brain damage, they can improve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. This may improve an individual’s quality of life, ease the burden on caregivers, or delay admission to a nursing home. Many researchers are also examining whether these drugs may be useful for treating other types of dementia. Many people with dementia, particularly those in the early stages, may benefit from practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of cognitive functioning. For example, people can sometimes be taught to use memory aids, such as mnemonics, computerized recall devices, or note taking.
Prognosis
There are many disorders that can cause dementia. Some, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Huntington’s disease, lead to a progressive loss of mental functions. But other types of dementia can be halted or reversed with appropriate treatment. People with moderate or advanced dementia typically need round-the-clock care and supervision to prevent them from harming themselves or others. They also may need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
Research
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to dementia in laboratories at the NIH and also support additional dementia research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Current research focuses on many different aspects of dementia. This research promises to improve the lives of people affected by the dementias and may eventually lead to ways of preventing or curing these disorders.
View a list of studies currently seeking patients.
View more studies on this condition.
Read additional information from Medline Plus.
Organizations
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
National Institute on Aging
P.O. Box 8250
P.O. Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
Tel: 1-800-438-4380
Fax: 301-495-3334
Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Works to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia and to their caregivers and families thruogh member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.
322 Eighth Avenue
7th Floor
7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 866-AFA-8484 (232-8484)
Fax: 646-638-1546
John Douglas French Alzheimer's Foundation
Provides seed money for novel and innovative Alzheimer's research at major California universities. Unsolicited applications and/or letters of inquiry not accepted.
11620 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 270
Suite 270
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tel: 310-445-4650
Fax: 310-479-0516
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
Nonprofit organization that promotes and funds research into finding the cause and cure for frontotemporal degeneration, also called frontotemporal dementia (FTD); provides information, education, and support to those affected by FTD and their caregivers; and sponsors professional health education programs related to FTD.
Radnor Station Building #2
Suite 320
290 King of Prussia Road
290 King of Prussia Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Tel: 267-514-7221
866-507-7222
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-415-8051
301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
Lewy Body Dementia Association
Supports those affected by Lewy body dementias through outreach, education and research.
912 Killian Hill Road, S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047
Tel: Telephone: 404-935-6444
LBD Caregiver Link: 800-539-9767
Fax: 480-422-5434
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Public charity whose mission is to accelerate the discovery and development of drugs to prevent, treat, and cure Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, and cognitive aging.
57 West 57th Street
Suite 904
Suite 904
New York, NY 10019
Tel: 212-901-8000
Fax: 212-901-8010
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Foundation Inc.
Non-profit, volunteer foundation that promotes research, education, and awareness of CJD and reaches out to people affected by CJD.
P.O. Box 5312
Akron, OH 44334
Tel: 800-659-1991
Fax: 330-668-2474
CJD Aware!
Non-profit organization established for support, information sharing, and advocacy.
2527 South Carrollton Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118-3013
Tel: 504-861-4627
National Respite Network and Resource Center
Information and referral service that assists and promotes the development of quality respite and crisis care programs; helps families locate respite and crisis care services in their communities; and sponsors advocacy and awareness efforts concerning respite care.
800 Eastowne Drive
Suite 105
Suite 105
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tel: 919-490-5577 x222
Fax: 919-490-4905
BrightFocus Foundation
Non-profit charitable organization dedicated to funding research and educating the public on Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
22512 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, MD 20871
Tel: 1- 800-437-2423
Fax: 301-258-9454
Alzheimer's Association
National voluntary health organization committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and helping those affected by the disease.
225 North Michigan Avenue
Floor 17
Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633
Tel: 312-335-8700
1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline)
TDD: 312-335-5886
Fax: 866.699.1246
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. Committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service.
55 Kenosia Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810
Tel: 203-744-0100
Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
Family Caregiver Alliance/ National Center on Caregiving
Supports and assists families and caregivers of adults with debilitating health conditions. Offers programs and consultation on caregiving issues at local, state, and national levels. Offers free publications and support online, including a national directory of publicly funded caregiver support programs.
785 Market St.
Suite 750
Suite 750
San Francisco, CA 94103
Tel: 415-434-3388
800-445-8106
Fax: 415-434-3508
National Family Caregivers Association
Grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of America's family caregivers. Created to educate, support, empower, and advocate for the millions of Americans who care for their ill, aged, or disabled loved ones.
10400 Connecticut Avenue
Suite 500
Suite 500
Kensington, MD 20895-3944
Tel: 800-896-3650
Fax: 301-942-2302
Well Spouse Association
International non-profit, volunteer-based organization whose mission is to provide emotional support to, raise consciousness about, and advocate for the spouses/partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled.
63 West Main Street
Suite H
Suite H
Freehold, NJ 07728
Tel: 800-838-0879
732-577-8899
Fax: 732-577-8644
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization /Natl. Hospice Foundation
Non-profit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs and professionals. Provides free referrals to the public for hospice listings across the United States and internationally. Distributes free packets of general information describing hospice services and the Medicare Hospice Benefit.
1731 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703-837-1500
Helpline: 800-658-8898
Fax: 703-837-1233