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The Cognitive Enhancing Effects of D-Cycloserine Among Non-Demented Elderly

Information source: Hartford Hospital
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this data on August 23, 2015
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.

Condition(s) targeted: Treatment; Placebo

Intervention: d-cycloserine (Drug); Sugar Pill (Drug)

Phase: Phase 2

Status: Completed

Sponsored by: Hartford Hospital

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Gretchen J. Diefenbach, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Hartford Hospital

Summary

The goal of this study is to determine whether a study medication (d-cycloserine) improves the ability of older adults to perform on tests of neuropsychological functioning. Tests of neuropsychological functioning assess attention, memory, and executive functioning skills (for example, problem-solving, planning and organizing skills). It was hypothesized that participants who received study medication would perform better on neuropsychological tests than would participants who received the sugar pill.

Clinical Details

Official title: The Cognitive Enhancing Effects of D-Cycloserine Among Non-Demented Elderly

Study design: Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Primary outcome: California Verbal Learning Test-II (CLVT-II)

Secondary outcome:

Continuous Performance Test

Controlled Oral Word Association Test

Logical Memory Subtests

Wisconsin Card Sort Test

Tower of London

Trails B

Stroop

Implicit Memory Task

Detailed description: Accumulating data support the augmenting effects of d-cycloserine (DCS) when combined with exposure-based treatment for anxiety disorders. Additional research is needed to determine whether DCS facilitates other forms of cognitive processing (e. g., attention, memory, executive functioning) that are involved in cognitive behavioral therapies which do not rely on extinction as a mechanism of action. This question is particularly important among older adults who have experienced normal age-related declines in cognitive functioning, which may interfere with their ability to benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapies. The aim of the current study was to determine the cognitive enhancing effects of DCS on neuropsychological test performance among healthy older adults. It was hypothesized that participants who received d-cycloserine would demonstrate superior performance on neuropsychological tests than would participants who received placebo.

Eligibility

Minimum age: 60 Years. Maximum age: N/A. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- age 60 or older

- native English speaker

Exclusion Criteria:

- diagnosis of current psychiatric disorder

- substance abuse past 3 months

- cognitive impairment

- neurological disorder

- poor health or unstable medical condition

- positive toxicology screen

- current use of isoniazid

- current use of trecator

- severe renal insufficiency

Locations and Contacts

Anxiety Disorders Center, Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, United States
Additional Information

Starting date: January 2008
Last updated: May 18, 2012

Page last updated: August 23, 2015

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