Research Studies
The Cognition and Memory Research Program is looking for partners in research to help our investigators learn more about memory loss. To volunteer, fill out the Join a Study form or contact the research coordinator for the study. Click on the study title for more details.
RECRUITING
The purpose of this research is to well characterize persons with and without dementia and to follow them longitudinally with yearly follow-ups to assess their cognitive status. Participants will have annual visits to collect data, obtain blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, and imaging. The Cognition and Memory Research Clinic will prospectively follow participants who are cognitively normal or who have a known or suspected neurodegenerative diagnosis such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Lewy-body dementia (LBD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and REM behavior disorder (RBD).
This cohort will support investigator-initiated research, multi-institutional observational studies and clinical trials on neurodegenerative dementias. This research may provide data that may lead to biomarkers or better treatments for dementia.
Contact:
Deborah Gonzales, 214-648-0671 | Deborah.Gonzales@UTSouthwestern.edu
Jada Turner, 214-648-9368 | jada.turner@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Roger Rosenberg, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: Minimum 18 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, MCI, AD, LBD, FTD, RBD and PD
Since its launch in 2004, the overarching aim of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) has been realized in informing the design of therapeutic trials in AD. ADNI 3 continues the previously funded ADNI-1, ADNI-GO, and ADNI-2 studies that have been combined public/private collaborations between academia and industry to determine the relationships between the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The overall goal of this observational study is to continue to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in AD research.
Contact: Amy Browning, 214-645-1972, amy.browning@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Brendan Kelley, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: 55 to 90 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02854033
This study is being conducted to help researchers learn more about risk factors which might be associated with the development of diseases of the nervous system associated with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is defined as symptoms of AD beginning at age 60 or older, aging, and other related disorders.
Other related disorders may include early-onset AD, frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), Lewy body dementia (LBD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
Contact:
Deborah Gonzales, 214-648-0671 | Deborah.Gonzales@UTSouthwestern.edu
Jada Turner, 214-648-9368 | jada.turner@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Roger Rosenberg, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: Minimum 50 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, at risk (have at least 2 living family members with dementia and one family member who does not have dementia)
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00064870
The proposed multi-center project seeks to establish proof of concept for the utility of a new class of cerebrovascular markers, including dynamic vasomotor reactivity (DVR), that may aid in the improved diagnosis and prediction of disease progression in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The means for obtaining these markers are non-invasive, inexpensive and portable, so that they can be used for screening in a primary-care setting.
The scientific rationale for this new class of cerebrovascular markers is provided by the mounting evidence of a strong correlation between MCI/AD and cerebrovascular dysregulation, and early and strong pathogenic factor associated with AD progression.
Contact: Vishal Thakkar, 214-645-0375 | Vishal.Thakkar@UTSouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Rong Zhang, Ph.D.
Gender: All
Age: 55-85 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD
Grant Number: 5 R01 AG058162-02
This study is investigating the utility of MEG brain activity and advanced MRI as biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). MEG is a non-invasive form of functional brain imaging that is capable of detecting the magnetic fields associated with neuronal activity with millisecond time scale resolution. MEG activity has recently shown promise as an early detection method of Alzheimer’s, showing changes in patients’ brain waves before they ever experienced symptoms of Alzheimer’s. With earlier detection, there may be more opportunity for treatment.
This study will involve a 3-hour appointment. No radiation, injections, medications, or other invasive procedures are involved.
Contact: Keshia Anerobi, 214-648-5982, Keshia.Anerobi@UTSouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Davenport, Ph.D.
Gender: All
Age: 60 to 85 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), AD
Episodic memory declines more steeply with increasing age than other types of memory, and is severely impaired in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Even the modest memory impairment typical of healthy people in their 70’s can negatively impact quality of life. Moreover, changes in memory function that harbinger AD onset years before the emergence of symptoms. This prodromal period provides a window for disease modifying interventions and places a premium on early detection of trajectories of ‘unsuccessful’ brain aging. Thus, it is important to understand the neurocognitive bases of the effects of age on episodic memory.
The goal is to identify which of the neural correlates of successful episodic encoding and retrieval previously identified in healthy people are also evident in aMCI, which correlates are shared with healthy older individuals with broadly comparable memory abilities, and which are specific to amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), especially to individuals at high risk for AD.
Contact: 972-883-3735 or 972-883-3736, fnim@utdallas.edu
Principal Investigator: Michael D. Rugg, Ph.D.
Gender: All
Age: 65 to 80 years old
Study Type: Observational
Recruiting: Normal, aMCI
Grant Number: RF1AG039103
The objective of this pilot grant is to examine if traumatic brain injury (TBI) initiates or accelerates Alzheimer’s disease (AD) changes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We aim to determining whether repetitive mild TBI plays a role in having poorer hippocampal functioning and greater accumulation of AD-related pathological markers, including cerebrospinal fluid amyloid and tau, in participants with amnestic MCI.
Contact: Jan Garcia, 214-648-3679, jan.garcia@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Christian Lobue, Ph.D.
Gender: All
Age: Minimum 18 years old
Study Type: Pilot, Observational
Recruiting: Normal, amnestic MCI, history of multiple concussions or mild TBI
Grant: Alzheimer’s Association, 2019-AARG-643558
Knowledge about the molecular changes in the brain that are at the heart of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology can guide us in identifying strategies by which to treat it. Aggregates of the tau protein are one promising target, as the extent of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles in the brain is closely associated with the degree of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. It is hypothesized that “seeds” of aggregation-prone misfolded tau can travel from cell to cell throughout the brain and cause the conversion of normal tau to misfolded tau.
We aim to determine whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau seeds can be used as a biomarker in AD and other tauopathies. Aggregates of the tau protein are one promising target, as the extent of tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles in the brain is closely associated with the degree of cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. It is hypothesized that “seeds” of aggregation-prone misfolded tau can travel from cell to cell throughout the brain and cause the conversion of normal tau to misfolded tau.
Contact: Jan Garcia, 214-648-3679, jan.garcia@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Brian Hitt, M.D., Ph.D.
Gender: All
Age: Minimum 40 years old
Study Type:Pilot, Biomarker Development
Study Type: Normal, AD, other tauopathies including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
Grant: Alzheimer’s Association, 2018-AACSF-591977
TRC-PAD study is short for the "Trial-Ready Cohort for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Dementia". The purpose of the TRC-PAD study is to find many people (also called a "cohort") who are interested in participating in clinical trials aimed at discovering treatments that will reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's dementia. TRC-PAD will help researchers enroll participants into these trials quickly to allow new treatments to be discovered as soon as possible.
The TRC-PAD study is for individuals who may be at increased risk for memory loss caused by Alzheimer's disease. If you are interested in being selected for the TRC-PAD study, you should first enroll in the APT Webstudy (https://www.aptwebstudy.org/welcome).
Contact: Shahera Ranjha, 214-648-9331 | shahera.ranjha@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Brendan Kelley, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: 50 to 85 years old
Study Type: Observational
Target population: Healthy volunteers, individuals at risk for Alzheimer’s disease
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04004767
The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of delivering a problem solving training to care partners of adults with Alzheimer's and Alzheimer’s-related dementia. Problem-Solving Training is an evidence-based approach that teaches a simple, systematic method for learn to set achievable goals under the coaching of an interventionist and gain self-efficacy as they begin to see that the seemingly overwhelming problems are indeed solvable when approached in a stepwise, rational fashion.
This training demonstrated efficacy in care partners of adults with brain injury, stroke and burn; however, it has yet to be demonstrated in care partners of adults with Alzheimer's and Alzheimer’s-related dementia. The investigators hypothesize that CP-PST would improve long-term health and well-being of caregivers of adults with Alzheimer’s disease.
Contact: Valeria Silva | carepartnerstudy@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Shannon B. Juengst, Ph.D. and Novelle Kew, MCRC
Gender: All
Age: Minimum of 18 years old
Study Type: Pilot, interventional
Target population: Care partners of those with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, including Lewy-body dementia (LBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel‑Treatment Arm, 216 Week Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Treatment With BAN2401 in Subjects With Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease and Elevated Amyloid (A45 Trial) and in Subjects With Early Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease and Intermediate Amyloid (A3 Trial)
The AHEAD Study tests whether an investigational treatment can slow or stop the earliest brain changes due to Alzheimer’s disease in people with a higher risk of developing the disease later in life.
Contact: Priscilla Arancivia, 214-648-9118 | Priscilla.Arancivia@UTSouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Brendan Kelley, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: 55-80
Study Type: Interventional
Target population: No diagnosis and has amyloid build up
ACTIVE, NOT RECRUITING
The A4 study is a clinical trial for older individuals who have evidence of amyloid plaque build-up in their brains who may be at risk for memory loss and cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease. The A4 study will test an anti-amyloid investigational drug in older individuals who do not yet show symptoms of Alzheimer's disease cognitive impairment or dementia with the aim of slowing memory and cognitive decline. The A4 study will also test whether anti-amyloid treatment can delay the progression of AD related brain injury on imaging and other biomarkers.
Contact: Lindsey Gonzalez, 214-648-9331, lindsey.gonzalez@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Brendan Kelley, M.D.
Gender: All
Age: 65 to 85 years old
Study Type: Interventional
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02008357
The purpose of the EMBARK study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of aducanumab. This study will enroll participants who previously participated in recently discontinued aducanumab studies sponsored by Biogen that were closed due to the results of a pre-planned futility analysis. After an additional analysis of the data, it was determined the participants who received a high dose of aducanumab had slower cognitive and functional decline.
Contact: Amy Browning, 214-645-1972, amy.browning@utsouthwestern.edu
Principal Investigator: Trung Nguyen, M.D.
Eligibility:Enrolling by invitation
Study Type:Interventional
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04241068