Ongoing clinical trials studying Alzheimer’s, dementia and cognitive impairments are seeking volunteers across the country. The trials are looking for participants with mild cognitive impairment, severe cognitive impairment, and no cognitive impairment, as well as caregivers or health care providers caring for people with cognitive impairment.
Clinical trials contribute to the scientific knowledge that can lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of diseases and ailments. They can also help older adults and caregivers feel they are proactively contributing to a better future for those affected by cognitive impairment, which may provide a sense of purpose to the diagnosis.
Each of the studies below includes contact information for the group or university sponsoring and conducting the trial. Reach out to them with any questions or concerns you may have, or to see if you qualify.
Computer-Based Cognition Test To Detect Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease
This study will evaluate whether a computer-based test can effectively detect early-stage mild cognitive impairment, which has been linked to a higher instance of Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Location: Florida
Qualifications:
- 60 years old (no maximum age)
- Mild cognitive impairment or normal cognition
Process: Participants will take computer-based and traditional cognition tests, and receive PET and MRI brain scans.
Contacts:
Martin Orkuma
305-355-9060
mto9@miami.edu
David Loewenstein, PhD
305-355-7016
dloewenstein@miami.edu
Lucidity in Severe End-Stage Dementia
This study aims to establish methods for measuring episodes of lucidity in people with severe, end-stage dementia.
Location: New York
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years old (no maximum age)
- Have severe dementia (currently admitted or accepted for hospice care; no longer being provided with nutrition or fluids; dry or almost dry disposable underwear in any 24-hour period), or
- Be a health care provider, family, friend or caregiver of a person with severe dementia
Process: A caregiver will record symptoms while researchers measure brain activity through video brain recording.
Contact:
Sam Parnia, MD, PhD
646-501-6923
Sam.Parnia@nyulangone.org
Anelly Gonzales
646-501-6923
Anelly.Gonzales@nyulangone.org
ROAAR-AD Registry for Older African Americans
The purpose of this study is to better understand the higher instance of dementia in African American people than white or Asian people.
Location: Florida
Qualifications:
- At least 50 years old (no maximum age)
- African American or black ancestry
- Mild cognitive impairment
Process: Participants will receive a complete medical evaluation, take cognitive tests, provide a blood sample and undergo MRI brain imaging.
Contacts:
Carlos Almirola
305-355-9030
cxa260@miami.edu
Elizabeth Crocco, MD
305-355-9065
ecrocco@med.miami.edu
Alzheimer’s Disease Proteins in the Brain and Blood of Older Adults With Normal Cognition
The purpose of this study is to create a database for a future Alzheimer’s study with data to compare the amount of amyloid protein in the brain and other proteins in the blood of adults with normal cognition.
Location: Connecticut
Qualifications:
- 70 years old (no maximum age)
- Normal cognition
Process: Participants will have their brain imaged with a PET scan and provide blood samples for protein analysis and genetic testing for APOE, a gene associated with Alzheimer’s risk.
Contact:
Lianne Ramia
203-401-4300
recruitment@invicro.com
The National Institutes of Health’s Alzheimers.gov website provides a way to search for clinical trials researching Alzheimer’s and dementia that may be happening in your area. You can search by ZIP code, city or state.
