Exploring decision-making deficits in Alzheimer's patients

Lack of Decision-making in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease : Functions Involved and the Daily Consequences

NA · Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne · NCT03991624

This study tests how Alzheimer's disease affects decision-making skills in patients to see how their thinking difficulties impact everyday choices.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment180 (estimated)
Ages60 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne (other)
Locations4 sites (Bron and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03991624 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the decision-making abilities of patients with Alzheimer's disease, focusing on how cognitive deficits impact daily life. It utilizes the Iowa Gambling Task to assess decision-making skills and evaluates various cognitive functions such as inhibition, mental flexibility, and working memory. The research aims to establish a clearer link between cognitive impairment and decision-making deficits in Alzheimer's patients, which has been underexplored in previous studies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include French-speaking patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who have a Mini-Mental State Examination score above 23 and have been on stable treatment for at least two months.

Not a fit: Patients with game addiction, uncorrected sensory disorders, or other neurological or psychiatric histories may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's patients, leading to improved support and interventions.

How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have indicated early declines in decision-making skills in Alzheimer's, this specific approach linking cognitive impairment to daily decision-making is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for patients with Alzheimer's disease :

* Mini-Mental State Examination \> 23
* stable treatment for at least two months
* mother tongue : French

Inclusion Criteria for control :

* general cognitive level in the standard on the following tests : Mini-Mental State Examination and Fast Front End Efficiency Battery
* mother tongue : French

Exclusion Criteria for patients with Alzheimer's disease :

* game addiction
* uncorrected visual and hearing disorders
* other neurological or psychiatric history
* inability to communicate
* delusional or psychotic state

Exclusion Criteria for control :

* game addiction
* psychiatric or neurological disorders
* anxiety and depression symptomatology

Where this trial is running

Bron and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Alzheimer Disease, decision making, Iowa Gambling Task

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.