Neurocognitive Deficit

The objective of this observational study is to assess the efficacy of two neuropsychological tests (MoCA-B and MoCA-Blind) in detecting cognitive decline in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Can the results obtained by older adults on the MoCA-B distinguish between those with and without cognitive decline? Can the results obtained by older adults on the MoCA-Blind distinguish between those with and without cognitive decline? Participants will be required to: 1. Complete a sociodemographic questionnaire; 2. Undergo a visual acuity test; 3. Complete the Pfeffer and IQCODE scales; and 4. Complete the MMSE, MoCA-B, and MoCA-Blind.

Brain metastases are a source of much morbidity and mortality in adults with primary solid malignant tumors. With improvements in systemic therapy that prolong survival but have limited central nervous system penetration, patients with brain metastases are at increasing risk of developing and experiencing long-term side effects from treatment of brain metastases. The overarching goal of this study is to better understand the determinants of RT-associated changes in white and gray matter function and associated neurocognitive decline.

Here, the investigators propose to study host responses to reduced microbiome complexity driven by treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics in patients with severe infections or sepsis. The proposal aims to combine holistic approaches with emerging experimental technologies to investigate the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and its host and assess the impact of specific bacterial communities on longevity and stress responses. A strong focus of this study will also be placed on microbiome dysbiosis and secondary impacts on short- and long-term brain dysfunction using clinical, laboratory and imaging procedures.