The ADC at New York University School of Medicine provides the opportunity to participate in research programs to develop new methods of assessment, early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment and to monitor cognitive changes related to normal aging. We encourage our readers to call our study coordinators to learn about these studies and whether they may be eligible to participate.
Helping Caregivers
Treatment Studies for Older Adults with Memory Impairment
New Methods for Assessing Normal Elderly at Home
Diagnosis and Evaluation of Memory Disorders
Logitudinal Study of Normal Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Brain Donation Program
Support Groups
HELPING CAREGIVERS
Support for Couples Dealing with a Recent Diagnosis of
Alzheimer's Disease
A unique free counseling study has been designed especially for
couples and is supported by a grant from the Alzheimer'™s Association. During 6
weekly meetings with a counselor, the couple will discuss problems resulting
from the illness and workable responses to them. Couples will be encouraged to
share thoughts and feelings, and find ways to help and support each other. For
more information, please call Cynthia Epstein, ACSW at 212-263-1056 or Ursula Auclair, LCSW at 212-263-2245.
Help for Caregivers of Parents with Alzheimer's Disease
This study for adult-children of a parent with Alzheimer’s
disease is being conducted simultaneously in New York City and rural Minnesota.
All participants have access to resource information and support from experts as
needed. Those in the enhanced group will also meet with a counselor individually
and with other family members. Based on an earlier research program, we expect
that all participants will experience significant benefits to their well-being.
For more information, please call Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
For Caregivers of Parents in the Moderate Stage of AD
The study investigates an education and support intervention
designed to reduce the stress, anxiety, and depression frequently experienced by
people whose parents are in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's disease. The goal
of this study is to help caregivers provide a more stimulating environment for
their parents and have a positive experience interacting with them and providing
care. Everyone who enrolls will receive self-teaching materials especially
written for this project. Half the participants will also participate in two
workshops and one individual counseling session. For more information, please
call Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
Memantine (Namenda) and Individualized Alzheimer's Care
Are you caring for someone who is in the middle or late stage of
Alzheimer's? Would you like to see them function and feel better? Would you like
to solve the empty day syndrome? The goal of this study is to determine the
added value of an individualized patient management program in AD patients
receiving memantine. Subjects with moderate to severe AD are eligible. All
patients receive memantine and follow up evaluations at no charge. In addition,
patients are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives
compensation and the other receives an individualized program consisting of
caregiver training and support as well as home visits to get the patient
exercising, doing enjoyable activities and cognitive stimulation. The study
duration is 7 months. For more information, please call Dr. Sunnie Kenowsky at 212-263-7164.
Top of the Page
TREATMENT STUDIES FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH MEMORY IMPAIRMENT
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Treatment with Avandia™ XL
Men and women age 50 and older, who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, may be eligible to participate in a current clinical study evaluating the possible effectiveness of Avandia™ extended release (rosiglitazone) vs. placebo. Rosiglitazone is an FDA approved compound for type 2 diabetes that is being studied for possible effectiveness in patients who suffer from AD. Eligible participants must have a caregiver who is able to accompany them to each study visit for the duration of the 54-week evaluation. For more information, please call Erica Maya or Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
Top of the Page
NEW METHODS FOR ASSESSING NORMAL ELDERLY AT HOME
Multi-Center Trial to Evaluate Home-Based Assessment Methods for Alzheimer Disease Prevention Research in People Over 75 Years Old
This current study is examining the feasibility and accuracy of at-home methods of evaluation. Participants include men and women age 75 and over, who do not have Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will be randomized into one of three groups. The first group will be evaluated using paper and pencil questionnaires returned by mail and will complete a memory test over the phone with study staff. The second group will use an automated telephone method and the third group will be evaluated using a special computer kiosk. At-home evaluations eventually may be applied to clinical trials, making clinical trials more available and convenient for patients and caregivers. It may also be a way to reduce the cost and amount of staff time required to conduct trials. Participants initially receive a free brief medical and memory evaluation and then do the in-home evaluations periodically over a 4-year period. Because the study involves the kiosk or telephone installation and initial training in the home, we are currently recruiting participants who live in the vicinity of the NYU Medical Center. For more information, please call Erica Maya or Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
Top of the Page
DIAGNOSIS AND EVALUATION OF MEMORY DISORDER
Trial of New Diagnostic Procedure for Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
This is a trial of a new diagnostic procedure for AD based on
examination of the eye, which is an extension of the brain. Eligible
participants include patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or
Alzheimer's disease and normal individuals over the age of 60 to complete an eye
examination. Participants will receive neurological screening, an ophthalmologic
evaluation with glaucoma screening and a free eyeglass prescription. For more
information, please call Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study in Alzheimer's Disease
We are currently taking part in the national Alzheimer's disease
Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a study sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health (NIH). This multi-center study is being undertaken to find the most
effective methods for tracking changes in the brain and in body fluids during
the course of AD and to establish those methods as diagnostic standards. We are
enrolling patients diagnosed with AD (within the last year), patients diagnosed
with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and people with no memory complaints
(other than the normal memory problems associated with age). Participants must
be aged 55-90 and in general good health. All participants receive standard
neuropsychological testing, blood and urine tests and an MRI scan. Some
participants receive a PET scan and analysis of their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
All subjects will be repeatedly assessed every 6 months for 2 to 3 years. For
more information, please call Dr. Miroslaw Brys at 212-263-0407.
Longitudinal Study of Human Gait (walking ability)
The purpose of this NIH-funded project is to determine whether
quantitative measures of human gait patterns can improve the early detection of
Alzheimer's disease (and/or allow accurate prediction of possible subsequent
decline), particularly among elderly people differing widely in levels of
education. This project specifically tests gait function, using both
computerized and non-computerized assessment techniques. The gait assessments
require about 15 - 20 minutes to complete. The study is open to participants
with normal cognitive function, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's
disease. For more information, please call Dr. Alan Kluger at 212-263-7562.
Position Emission Tomography (PET) and Memory Study
This NIH-funded program uses advanced brain imaging techniques
to measure the anatomy and metabolic function of the brain so as to predict
future cognitive impairment. This two-year longitudinal imaging study of healthy
elderly individuals has helped us better understand the differences between
successful aging and the progression to memory impairment and to Alzheimer's
disease. We are developing and testing a profile of measures to identify those
at increased risk for future memory impairment. Study recruitment includes
normal individuals between 20-90 years and individuals with memory problems. For
more information, please call Schantel
Williams at 212-263-7563.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Study
This study seeks to develop a specific early AD diagnosis based
on analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. This NIH-supported project evaluates whether
the amount and type of amyloid and tau proteins (proteins associated with AD)
and isoprostanes (products of lipid peroxidation) that are found in the CSF are
related to memory changes and the brain shrinkage seen in MRI studies. The
objective of this program is to develop a screening test for early AD. Study
recruitment includes normal individuals between 40 and 90 years of age,
individuals with memory problems, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. For more
information, please call Dr. Kenneth Rich at 212-263-7563.
Top of the Page
Longitudinal Study of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment
Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
Participants receive a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and
are re-evaluated every year. The goal is to improve early diagnosis and better
understand the clinical course and causes of age-related cognitive decline and
AD. For more information, please call Emma Shulman at 212-263-5756.
The Multicultural Aging and Memory Evaluation Program
The Multicultural Program offers a comprehensive,
multidisciplinary evaluation for elderly individuals with memory complaints,
symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This program's goals are to provide
diagnostic evaluations to ethnic minorities and underserved populations, to
promote their access to early utilization of these services, and provide
culturally and language-appropriate services. Our clinical team includes
neurologists, psychiatrists, a psychologist, a neuropsychologist, social workers
and other health-care professionals with experience in diagnosing memory
disorders. Memory tests are administered in Spanish to monolingual patients by
bilingual and bicultural clinicians. For more information please contact either
of the Program Coordinator's: Dorothy Patterson at (212)-263-3201 or Diana Rojas-Soto, M.D. at (212)-263-1027.
Top of the Page
BRAIN DONATION PROGRAM
Participants are
eligible for a free autopsy program that provides families with a definitive
post-mortem diagnosis and contributes to important research on the causes and
treatment of brain aging and Alzheimer's disease. For more information, please
contact Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
Top of the Page
SUPPORT GROUPS
Support groups are available for family members of people with
AD and for people in the early stage of AD. For more information, please contact Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
Top of the Page
