Researchers with the Alz-heimer's Disease Neuro-imaging Initiative are recruiting 800 older adults to participate in a landmark study to identify biologic markers of memory decline and Alzheimer's disease.
The National Institutes of Health study is the most comprehensive effort to date to identify biochemical and brain imaging changes associated with memory decline. The study is expected to last 5 years.
The researchers are seeking adults aged 55–90 years, who are in good general health with no memory problems or who are in good general health but have memory problems/concerns or a diagnosis of early Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers expect to enroll 400 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 200 cognitively normal controls, and 200 with early AD.
The researchers will be performing serial MRI and PET scans, and measuring various biologic compounds in the blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine. The participants will also undergo clinical and neuropsychologic assessments to track MCI and early AD progression. Healthy volunteers and patients with MCI will be followed for 3 years, while those with early AD will be followed for 2 years. Patients will be evaluated at 58 study sites in the United States and Canada.
For more information about participating in the study and to obtain a list of sites, contact the National Institute on Aging's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center by visiting www.alzheimers.org/imagine