The majority of patients diagnosed with cancer are over age 65, yet most cancer treatments are developed and tested for a younger population. In addition, age-related concerns and outcomes are not usually discussed during the decision making process for cancer treatment.

The purpose of this study is to find out if the geriatric assessment (GA) can help improve and develop a standard approach for communication about age-related issues, quality of life, and patient and caregiver satisfaction.

A majority of patients diagnosed with cancer are over age 65, yet most cancer treatments are developed in a younger population. Older cancer patients are more likely to experience side effects. There is no standard way to treat chemotherapy side effects in older patients. A Geriatric Assessment (GA) can be used to predict who is at risk for side effects but there is no standard way to decrease this risk. Also, there is not agreement on how information from a GA can be used to develop ways to prevent or treat side effects.

The purpose of this study is to find out if the GA can help improve and develop a standard approach for reducing and/or preventing chemotherapy side effects in older cancer patients. The GA is intended to determine an older patient?s level of independence taking into account health conditions, physical performance (walking, leg strength, and balance), nutrition, social support and memory. Several tests as well as questionnaires are used. The combined results establish what is called a patient?s functional age, which may be quite different from the actual age. Functional age can help better predict a patient?s tolerance of and likely response to cancer treatments as well as provide other important age-related information not routinely captured by cancer doctors. If you decide to participate in this study, you will receive the GA.

This project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is recruiting participants for a multi-site study evaluating an auditory training program for people who use hearing aids. This study includes a hearing evaluation, several listening tasks, and 30 hours of participation in a computer-based speech-training program. Native English speakers between the ages of 35 and 89 who have worn hearing aids for at least the past 3 months are currently being recruited. The study requires at least 2 visits per week for a period of 12-15 weeks, scheduled at the participant’s convenience. Compensation for time will be provided and parking validated.

Among individuals that have had a stroke, poor motor rehabilitation outcomes are often associated with elevated brain activity in the hemisphere that was not directly affected by the stroke. There are several reasons that this may be happening. The purpose of this study is to determine whether elevated brain activity in the opposite hemisphere is due to changes in brain function or brain structure.

This is a study of brain aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). In this study, we use non-invasive brain MRI techniques and tests of memory and other thinking skills to improve the detection of brain diseases of aging at the very earliest stages. A fasting blood draw will also be performed to help clarify the contribution of blood sugar and cholesterol to brain aging. We are primarily recruiting 80 individuals ages 65-85 who have been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by their healthcare provider. We are also recruiting individuals ages 65-85 who are cognitively healthy and do not have any significant or unstable medical conditions. This study is sponsored by the NIH and is conducted at MUSC.

If you are interested in this study, please contact us by phone or through: http://bit.ly/MIND-study

South Carolina Coalition for Care of Serious Illness (SCC CSI) sponsors development of Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) in South Carolina. The SC POST follows the national POLST (www. polst.org) paradigm creating an advance treatment planning physician order that migrates as valid across institutional boundaries: from physician office, to home/nursing home/hospice to EMS to hospital emergency/inpatient services. The POST form encourages a conversation between a physician and the patient regarding treatment options available to seriously ill patients for whom death within a year would not be a surprise. These choices primarily include whether to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or pulmonary arrest or not (a ?DNR? or ?Allow Natural Death? order) and whether during acute illness to provide full treatment including endotracheal intubation and intensive care, supportive treatment such as noninvasive ventilation and no intensive care, or comfort care only. The Charleston and Greenville areas will pilot POST. Investigators by area will survey providers completing POST documents for patients or treating patients with POST about the utility of this form and how use of the form affected their patient's treatment. A chart reviews of patients presenting with a POST form to a hospital emergency or inpatient unit will address whether providers respected patient treatment choices. SCC CSI plans to publish the results of the pilot in appropriate journals and present the results at medical meetings and to interested persons. The results of the study may provide the supporting documentation for subsequent legislation supporting POST. POST represents a coordinated statement of a seriously ill patient?s treatment choices to be honored across multiple treatment settings.

This study will involve 280 healthy adult participants. We are currently recruiting males 40 years and older and females 60 years and older. Eligible participants include those without history of head and neck cancer, without history of neurological disease (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc), without history or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and without history of thyroid, carotid or spine surgery where the surgeon went through the front of your neck. Study is a one-time visit lasting less than 30 minutes, and compensation for time and travel is provided. Study procedures involve filling out 2 brief questionnaires related to swallowing and overall health. Additionally, you will be required to swallow 12 times where a continuous X-ray will be used to evaluate your swallowing function. This study is non-invasive.

This study is designed to examine the effects and safety of citalopram in patients with Alzheimer's disease experiencing agitation or emotional disturbance. This study is 9 weeks long. In order to participate in this study, you must be at least 45 years old, have Alzheimer's disease and experience agitation. Participants cannot have depression. Participants may stay on approved memory medications for Alzheimer's disease.

This project, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is being conducted to determine the effects of aging on hearing, understanding speech, and brain functions. This study will provide a scientific basis for diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention of hearing loss due to aging. Volunteers who meet the eligibility requirements may enroll in this study, which will include measurements of hearing, making listening judgments of sounds, behavioral tasks, questionnaires, and MRI scanning of the brain. Participants 60 years of age and older with normal hearing or hearing loss are currently being recruited. Three visits of 2-3 hours each are required and scheduling is flexible.