MS-NEUROPLAST: Neuroplasticity of Cortical Areas Induced by Cognitive Training in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis (MSNEUROPLAST)
Prognose for kognitiv nedgang ved multippel sklerose: effektiviteten av en datastyrt kognitiv treningsbehandling på kortikal reorganisering
This clinical study aims to identify MS related beneficial plasticity and by contrast maladaptive reorganization in combination with elements of daily functional status as a response to a cognitive training program
Studieoversikt
Status
Forhold
Intervensjon / Behandling
Detaljert beskrivelse
Cognitive decline is a debilitating and widespread comorbidity of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affecting up to 65 percent of patients with MS (PwMS). Cognitive changes can be the only behavioral index of MS activity. But how accurately and timely can these be captured? The existing clinical tools are subjective and do not have the dynamic of prognosis. It remains uncertain how much change in cognitive status is required to translate into a meaningful clinical outcome and how long it may subsequently take to become apparent. Moving towards a holistic approach, MS-NEUROPLAST aims to further expand previously-published prognostic marker candidates and previous work of the applicant and the members of the research team and employ a group of methodologies for interventions and applications which will quantify via real-world assessment the MS-related cognitive changes in order to characterize not only decline but given the right dosage of stimulation improvement as well.
MS-NEUROPLAST has three main objectives:
(i) Utilize state of-the-art neuroimaging and network science measures to more thoroughly understand neural indices of cognitive impairment in PwMS.
(ii) Evaluate the efficacy for treating MS-associated cognitive deficits using a computerized cognitive training treatment by determining the differences, between subjects treated with cognitive training and controls, on network science measures indexing network efficiency or collapse and on the performance of a battery of neuropsychological tests that are frequently impaired in MS.
(iii) Investigate the dissociation of the cortical mechanisms related to training-induced plasticity and maladaptive reorganization (namely separate good from bad), by taking into account the homeostatic capacity of the human organism as a whole and thus examining whether the correlation of the neurophysiological and cognitive indices with longitudinal digital biomarkers of daily functional status can capture the underlying pathology.
MS-NEUROPLAST stages for PwMS
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Provide signed informed consent to participate in the study after being informed by the principal investigator.
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Neurological evaluation and decision on whether the inclusion criteria are met.
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The participants will visit the Medical Physics & Digital Innovation Lab at AUTH, where:
A. They will undergo a neuropsychological and somatometric assessment
B. Then, they will undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement which includes the following:
- Placement of the EEG cap holding the electrodes on the head to record the electrical activity of the brain. The cap will be soaked with potassium chloride solution to maintain the electrodes' resistance at desired levels
- Wear over ear headphones
- Recording EEG activity at rest for 15 minutes with eyes closed
- View and listen to a series of simple images and sounds in video format and parallel recording of EEG evoked potentials using a complex eccentric (oddball) protocol combining multisensory audiovisual mismatches with unisensory acoustic and visual deviancies. Concurrently to the EEG measurements the subjects will respond behaviourally via button presses to an audiovisual congruency task on which they have to evaluate whether the images presented correspond to the tones they hear based on the rule: "the higher the pitch of the tone the higher the position of the circle". The recording will be performed 4 times, will include 32 sequences from each category audiovisual congruent, audiovisual incongruent, auditory deviant and visual deviant) resulting in 128 measurements from each condition for each participant. The measurement will take about 45 minutes.
C. Familiarization with using a personal computer or a tablet, and demonstration of both the BrainHQ environment for cognitive training and the wearable and ambient devices.
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Use of a set of smart sensors to collect biomarkers (steps, calories, sleep duration, heart rate, oxygen saturation) of daily activities for a period of up to 1 month (at least 2 weeks) before the onset of cognitive training. This will be followed by cognitive training through BrainHQ exercises. The training should be performed with a frequency of at least 3 times a week, for about 60 minutes (30 minutes of pure practice), lasting up to 12 weeks. Adherence will be recorded by the BrainHQ application and any deviations from the schedule will be followed by communication via the telephone or in person aimed at mobilizing and re engaging participants. During cognitive training, the recording of biomarkers of daily activities will continue.
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At the end of the training, stages 3A and 3B will be repeated.
MS-NEUROPLAST stages for Healthy Controls
- Provide signed informed consent to participate in the study after being informed by the principal investigator
- The participants will visit the Medical Physics & Digital Innovation Lab at AUTH, where:
A. They will undergo a neuropsychological and somatometric assessment
B. Then, they will undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG) measurement which includes the following:
- Placement of the EEG cap holding the electrodes on the head to record the electrical activity of the brain. The cap will be soaked with potassium chloride solution to maintain the electrodes' resistance at desired levels
- Wear over ear headphones
- Recording EEG activity at rest for 15 minutes with eyes closed
- View and listen to a series of simple images and sounds in video format and parallel recording of EEG evoked potentials using a complex eccentric (oddball) protocol combining multisensory audiovisual mismatches with unisensory acoustic and visual deviancies. Concurrently to the EEG measurements the subjects will respond behaviourally via button presses to an audiovisual congruency task on which they have to evaluate whether the images presented correspond to the tones they hear based on the rule: "the higher the pitch of the tone the higher the position of the circle". The recording will be performed 4 times, will include 32 sequences from each category audiovisual congruent, audiovisual incongruent, auditory deviant and visual deviant) resulting in 128 measurements from each condition for each participant. The measurement will take about 45 minutes.
Studietype
Registrering (Antatt)
Fase
- Ikke aktuelt
Kontakter og plasseringer
Studiesteder
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Central Macedonia
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Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Hellas, 54124
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, AUTH
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Deltakelseskriterier
Kvalifikasjonskriterier
Alder som er kvalifisert for studier
Tar imot friske frivillige
Kjønn som er kvalifisert for studier
Beskrivelse
Inclusion Criteria for people with MS:
- Male/female patients aged 18 to 65 years at screening
- Diagnosis of MS according to the 2017 Revised McDonald criteria
- Disability status at screening with an EDSS score of 0 to 6.5
- Relapsing MS and progressive MS as defined by Lublin
- Neurologically stable within 1 month prior to screening
- Patients receiving the same Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) for at least 6 months
Exclusion Criteria for people with MS:
- Patients suspected of not being able or willing to cooperate or comply with study protocol requirements
- Patients meeting criteria for other demyelinating diseases of the CNS
- Patients with active chronic disease (or stable but treated with immune therapy) of the immune system other than MS
- Patients with any other significant CNS disease or serious psychiatric disorder which can interfere with the patient's ability to cooperate or comply with the study procedure
- Patients unable or unwilling to undergo MRI scans and EEG
Inclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:
• Normal hearing and normal or corrected-to-normal vision
Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Controls:
- Any diagnosed neurological, mental, developmental, or psychiatric disorder
- Unrecovered neurological disorders (i.e., stroke, traumatic brain injury)
- Unstable medication within the last 3 months
- Intake of central nervous drugs (e.g., antidepressants)
- Severe physical disorder
- Concurrent participation in another relevant study
- Patients unable or unwilling to undergo EEG measurements
Studieplan
Hvordan er studiet utformet?
Designdetaljer
- Primært formål: Annen
- Tildeling: Randomisert
- Intervensjonsmodell: Parallell tildeling
- Masking: Enkelt
Våpen og intervensjoner
Deltakergruppe / Arm |
Intervensjon / Behandling |
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Eksperimentell: PwMS-CCT
Adult individuals with Multiple Sclerosis will follow a cognitive training intervention.
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The cognitive training treatment is a Greek adaptation of BrainHQ developed by Posit Science Corporation. The intervention will target speed, attention, working memory, and executive function through the visual and auditory domains via a set of 15 exercises. Each daily training session consists of four exercises chosen from an active set of six. Participants will be instructed to train for one hour per day, three days per week, over 12 weeks via a tablet. Each subject will receive at least 29 sessions of computerized cognitive training. Monitoring of daily activity via Fitbit Charge 4 smartwatch. |
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Aktiv komparator: PwMS-CON
Adult individuals with Multiple Sclerosis serving as active controls.
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Monitoring of daily activity via Fitbit Charge 4 smartwatch. |
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Ingen inngripen: HC
Healthy adults serving as passive controls.
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Hva måler studien?
Primære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Tiltaksbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
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Change in current density strength of the cortical activity as measured via EEG
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Changes in cortical activity strength caused via the training. Change is defined as statistical significance in the t-test comparison of the current density strength as reconstructed via Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) algorithm on the basis of high-density EEG recordings, before compared to after the training. |
3 months
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Change in cortical connectivity as measured via EEG
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Changes in cortical connectivity caused via the training. Change is defined as statistical significance in the t-test comparison of Phase Transfer Entropy estimated from the cortical activity, as reconstructed via LORETA algorithm on the basis of high density EEG recordings, before compared to after the training. |
3 months
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Changes in the graph theory indexes as measured via EEG
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Changes in the global and local graph theoretical indices of the brain networks caused via the training. Change is defined as statistical significance in the t-test comparison of the graph theory indices before compared to after the training. |
3 months
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Sekundære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Tiltaksbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
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Change in audiovisual integration functionality
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Change of accuracy in the behavioral measurement testing audiovisual integration. Change is defined as statistical significance in the t-test comparison before compared to after the training. A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is a test of cognitive function. It includes tests of orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 100 (max). A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Clock Drawing Test (CDT)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Clock-Drawing Test (CDT) is a simple and effective cognitive test used to assess executive function and visual-spatial function. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 15 (max). A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT) measures visuospatial memory. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 36 (max). A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is a screening instrument to assess cognitive function and especially processing speed. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 110 (max). Scoring involves summing the number of correct substitutions within the 90-second interval. A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
|
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Change in Verbal Fluency: Phonemic [ Chi-Sigma-Alpha]
Tidsramme: 3 months
|
Verbal Fluency: Phonemic [ Chi-Sigma-Alpha] is a test of verbal fluency to evaluate the ability to retrieve specific information within restricted search parameters. It can be used as an efficient screening instrument for general verbal functioning. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 to as many as many different words as possible generated beginning with each of the following three Greek letters: X (Chi), S (Sigma), and A (Alpha) within 60 seconds. A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Verbal Fluency: Semantic [Animals-Fruits-Objects]
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Verbal Fluency: Semantic [Animals-Fruits-Objects] is a test of verbal fluency to evaluate the ability to retrieve specific information within restricted search parameters. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 to as many as many unique words as possible generated within a semantic category (Animals, Fruits, Objects) in 60 seconds. A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Digit Span (For-Back-Seq) _WAIS-4GR
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Digit Span (For-Back-Seq) _WAIS-4GR is a tool to measure one's verbal short-term and working memory. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 48 (max). A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Stroop Neuropsychological Test (SNST)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Stroop Neuropsychological Test (SNST) provides a brief screening for brain damage, dysfunction of selective attention, and cognitive flexibility. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to the sum of correct answers within 2 minutes. A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
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Change in Greek Accentuation Test (GAT)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Greek Accentuation Test (GAT) is a test of premorbid intellectual functioning. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 50 (max). A lower score denotes a decline. |
3 months
|
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Change in Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) is a self-report scale designed to measure the negative emotional states of depression, anxiety, and stress. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 63 (max). A lower score denotes an amelioration or absence of symptoms. |
3 months
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Change in Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Multiple sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29) measures coordination, fatigue, flexibility, muscle performance, muscle tone/spasticity, balance/falls, reach and grasp, self-care, health and wellness, leisure, quality of life, role function, social function, and work. A 29-item, self-report questionnaire designed to measure the physical and psychological impact of MS. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 29 (min) to 116 (max). A lower score denotes an amelioration or absence of symptoms. |
3 months
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Change in the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire (CRIq)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire (CRIq) is an instrument for measuring cognitive reserve. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The questionnaire is divided into 3 sections: CRI-Education, CRI-WorkingActivity, CRI-LeisureTime. The CRIq score falls into 1 of 5 ordered levels: low (less than 70); medium-low (70-84); medium (85-114); medium-high (115-130); and high (more than 130). A lower score means a lower cognitive reserve. |
3 months
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Change in Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) is a structured, self-report questionnaire that concerns how fatigue impacts their lives. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0 (min) to 84 (max). A lower score denotes an amelioration or absence of symptoms. |
3 months
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Change in EQ-5D-5L
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The EQ-5D-5L is a self-assessed, health-related, quality-of-life questionnaire. The scale measures the quality of life on a 5-component scale including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. A lower score denotes an amelioration or absence of symptoms. |
3 months
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Change in EQ-5D-5L -EQ-VAS
Tidsramme: 3 months
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Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. The score ranges from 0% (min) to 100% (max). The lower the score, the worse the perception of health. |
3 months
|
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Change in Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW) assesses walking speed and general walking ability on a ~8m (7.62m) corridor. The T25FW score is calculated by averaging the two tests performed (in seconds). Time limit per trial: 3 minutes (180 seconds). Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of timing denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Change in 3 m backwards walk test
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The 3 m backwards walk test assesses backward walking which is more sensitive to detecting changes in mobility and balance than walking forward. The score records the time (in seconds) per trial. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of timing denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Change in Hole Peg Test (9-HPT)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) is a brief, standardized, quantitative test that assesses upper extremity functionality, looking at how well the patient can use both their primary and non-primary hand to perform a specific task. Time limit per trial: 5 minutes (300 seconds). Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of timing denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Change in Four Square Step Test (FSST)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Four Square Step Test (FSST) assesses dynamic stability and the subject's ability to step over low objects forward, sideways, and backward. The aim is to step as fast as possible into each square with both feet in the following sequence: Square 2, 3, 4, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1 (clockwise to counterclockwise). The best time (in seconds) of two FSST is the score. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of timing denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Change in Single Leg Stance Test (SLS)
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Single Leg Stance Test (SLS): assesses static postural and balance control and is a valuable clinical tool for monitoring neurological and musculoskeletal status as well as for managing fall risk. It is tested on both legs. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of timing denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Change in the Handgrip Strength Test
Tidsramme: 3 months
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The Handgrip Strength Test assesses endurance to the maximum strength of the upper limbs. Grip strength is typically measured in kilograms by squeezing a type of muscle strength testing equipment, known as a dynamometer in each hand. The average healthy grip strength for men is a squeeze of about 33kg while women typically measure around 20kg. Change is defined as statistical significance in the comparison between before and after the training. An increased measure of squeeze denotes improvement. |
3 months
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Samarbeidspartnere og etterforskere
Samarbeidspartnere
Etterforskere
- Hovedetterforsker: Charis Styliadis, PhD, Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki
Publikasjoner og nyttige lenker
Generelle publikasjoner
- Styliadis C, Kartsidis P, Paraskevopoulos E, Ioannides AA, Bamidis PD. Neuroplastic effects of combined computerized physical and cognitive training in elderly individuals at risk for dementia: an eLORETA controlled study on resting states. Neural Plast. 2015;2015:172192. doi: 10.1155/2015/172192. Epub 2015 Apr 7.
- Klados MA, Styliadis C, Frantzidis CA, Paraskevopoulos E, Bamidis PD. Beta-Band Functional Connectivity is Reorganized in Mild Cognitive Impairment after Combined Computerized Physical and Cognitive Training. Front Neurosci. 2016 Feb 29;10:55. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00055. eCollection 2016.
- Anagnostopoulou A, Kartsidis PE, Tsoukaki N, Karagianni M, Melanitis N, Liozidou A, Nikolaidis I, Chatzichristos C, Poghosyan V, Grigoriadis N, Hadjileontiadis LJ, Bamidis PD, Styliadis C. Preserved alpha2 oscillations underpin reserve-related resilience of semantic verbal fluency in multiple sclerosis. Front Neurosci. 2026 Jul 22;20:1869738. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2026.1869738. eCollection 2026.
- Tsoukaki N, Anagnostopoulou A, Kartsidis PE, Karagianni M, Liozidou A, Nikolaidis I, Grigoriadis N, Bamidis PD, Styliadis C. Subjective mental fatigue mediates the relationship between information processing speed and verbal memory deficits in multiple sclerosis. Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 6;16(1):7560. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-38027-3.
Hjelpsomme linker
Studierekorddatoer
Studer hoveddatoer
Studiestart (Faktiske)
Primær fullføring (Faktiske)
Studiet fullført (Antatt)
Datoer for studieregistrering
Først innsendt
Først innsendt som oppfylte QC-kriteriene
Først lagt ut (Faktiske)
Oppdateringer av studieposter
Sist oppdatering lagt ut (Faktiske)
Siste oppdatering sendt inn som oppfylte QC-kriteriene
Sist bekreftet
Mer informasjon
Begreper knyttet til denne studien
Ytterligere relevante MeSH-vilkår
- Sykdommer i nervesystemet
- Psykiske lidelser
- Autoimmune sykdommer
- Sykdommer i immunsystemet
- Nevrokognitive lidelser
- Demyeliniserende autoimmune sykdommer, CNS
- Autoimmune sykdommer i nervesystemet
- Demyeliniserende sykdommer
- Kognisjonsforstyrrelser
- Multippel sklerose
- Kognitiv dysfunksjon
- Terapeutikk
- Pasientbehandling
- Helsetjenester
- Helsetjenester arbeidsstyrke og tjenester
- Rehabilitering
- Ettervern
- Kontinuitet i pasientbehandling
- Nevrologisk rehabilitering
- Kognitiv trening
Andre studie-ID-numre
- 98223
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