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The Aging and Dementia Research Center at New York University
School of Medicine provides the opportunity to participate in several research
programs for Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments. Pharmaceutical
companies and the National Institute for Aging Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative
Study (ADCS), a national clinical trials consortium, sponsor these clinical studies.
They help determine whether treatments improve cognition or slow the progression
of Alzheimer’s
Disease and cognitive impairment. NYU has successfully continued to participate
in many trials, in effect serving to aid in the development of new Alzheimer’s
treatments.
Treatment Studies
Early AD Diagnosis
For Family Members
Other Programs
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.
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.
For People with Mild Cognitive Impairment
This study will evaluate the effects of two group interventions on the functioning of people with Mild Cognitive Impairment. Adults 65 to 80 years old diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment will have a 50/50 chance of being assigned to either a life review group or a cognitive skills group. Both groups will meet for 90 minutes once a week for 10 weeks, It is hoped that participation will give you more effective ways to manage your memory problems and also provide an opportunity for social interaction with peers. This study is a collaboration of NYU School of Medicine and the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. For more information please contact Dr. Sharon E. McKenzie at (212) 263-2078 or sharon.mckenzie@med.nyu.edu, or Dr. Lynn A. Schaefer at (212) 263-6176.
Future Clinical Trials of Anti-Amyloid Treatments
We expect to begin enrollment for several new clinical trials in early 2008. These studies will test the effectiveness and safety of treatments that may remove or prevent beta amyloid, which is one of the important toxic proteins that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. It is hoped that these new treatments may slow the further progression of the disease. The new studies will enroll patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease who will receive either the experimental drug or placebo for up to 18 months. To receive more information when these future studies begin, please call Erica Maya or Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
Future Study of an Interactive Museum Tour for People with Alzheimer’s Disease and their Family Members
A new study is planned which will evaluate the effectiveness of participating in a guided tour of a New York City museum specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their family members and caregivers. It is hoped that the museum experience will improve their well-being and relationships with each other and help participants continue to partake in other activities together. If you would like to be notified when the study begins, please contact Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710
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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 ophthalmological evaluation with glaucoma screening and a free eyeglass prescription. For more information, please call Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
Longitudinal Study of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive 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 contact Emma Shulman, CSW at 212-263-5756 or Thet Oo, M.D. at 212-263-8088.
Position Emission Tomography (PET) and Memory Study
This NIH-funded program are uses advanced brain imaging techniques to measure the anatomy and metabolic function of the brain so as to predict future cognitive impairment. This longitudinal imaging study of elderly individuals uses a new amyloid imaging scan and a proven glucose metabolism scan to 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 individuals between 40-90 years with and without 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 is to develop a screening test for early AD. Participants include normal individuals between 40 and 100 years of age, individuals with memory problems, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. For more information, please call Dr. Kenneth Rich at 212-263-7563.
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Support for Couples Dealing With a Recent Diagnosis of AD
A unique free counseling study has been designed especially for people recently diagnosed with early Alzheimer's disease and their spouses 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.
Counseling and Support for People Caring for a Parent with Alzheimer’s Disease
The purpose of this NIH-funded study is to determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive counseling and support intervention for people who care for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two interventions. All participants have access to resource information and support from experts as needed. Those in the enhanced group will 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, including reduced stress and depression and postponed nursing home placement of their parents. If you are the ‘primary’ caregiver of the person with a diagnosis of dementia (i.e., the first person called if the patient is in need of help) and a daughter, son, daughter-in-law, or son-in-law of the person with AD and would like more information, please contact Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
For Caregivers of Parents in the Middle Stage of Alzheimer’s Disease
This study is investigating 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. Everyone who enrolls receives self-teaching materials especially written for this project and the opportunity to consult a counselor for resource information as needed. Half the participants, chosen at random, will also receive 2 workshops and an individual counseling session. For more information, please contact 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 contact Dr. Sunnie Kenowsky at 212-263-7164.
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The Multicultural Program
Our Multicultural Aging and Memory Evaluation Program, offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation for elderly individuals who present with memory complaints or symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The mission of this program is to provide diagnostic service to the ethnic minority and underserved populations, to promote their access to early utilization of these services, and provide culturally and language-appropriate service. For more information, please contact Dorothy Patterson at 212-263-3201 or in Spanish, 212-263-1027.
Brain Donation Program
The NYU ADRC team is very grateful to donors and their families for participation in our Brain Donation Program. Brain autopsy provides a definitive diagnosis for families while contributing to important research on the causes and treatment of brain aging and AD. Volunteers with and without memory impairment are eligible for participation in this program. For more information, please contact Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
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