Research Projects
Open for Enrollment
The Aging Brain: Vasculature Ischemia & Behavior
Investigators-Chui, Jagust, Mungas, Reed, DeCarli, Ellis
Sponsor: National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Recruiting at both Sites? YES
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ UCD Medical Center
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ Martinez VA Official
Conditions Studied: Cortical and subcortical strokes, white matter disease, vascular risk factors and aging. Purpose: The overall purpose of this study is to clarify the mechanism (s) by which “vascular” risk factors (e.g., hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia) and stroke contribute to progressive brain atrophy and cognitive decline.
Eligibility Inclusion criteria: Age 70 years and older, history of stroke, heart attack, coronary artery bypass or angioplasty or carotid endarterectomy OR history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and/or smoking; English speaking
Exclusion Criteria: History of epilepsy ( unless secondary to stroke), schizophrenia or bipolar affective disorder; history of substance abuse within the last 5 years. Pacemakers, shrapnel or other metal implants in body also exclude subjects from participating. What is Involved ? Testing: The initial visit involves a fasting blood draw, retinal scan, neurology exam, cognitive testing, a carotid artery ultrasound, an MRI and an interview with a study partner. Subsequent visits involve cognitive testing and neurology exam, with MRI.
Frequency of visits: Once a year Materials needed prior to evaluation: Medical records Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Subjects will be reimbursed $50-$100 for each visit.
Contact Information:
Sacramento area: Nancy Gubbins, 916-734-6984 Nancy.Gubbins@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu,
Martinez area: Gwen Gates, 925-372-2467 Gmgates@ucdavis.edu
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative -2 (ADNI-2)
Investigator-John Olichney, MD
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ Martinez VA: YES
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ UCDMC: NO
Conditions studied: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Healthy Aging.
Purpose: The goal of this study is to determine the relationship among the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as the pathology evolves from normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to dementia. ADNI-2, will provide additional information about the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers, identify outcome measures and most effective clinical trial scenarios.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria: Participants must be between the ages of 55 and 90 and be in good general health with memory problems or concerns. Participants will need a reliable study partner who has frequent contact with the participant, and who can accompany the participant to research visits as needed. Participant must be willing and able to undergo all test procedures including neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture and agree to longitudinal follow-up.
Exclusion criteria: Any significant neurological disease other than Alzheimer’s disease including Parkinson’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington’s disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma. Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition, or pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body. Longstanding history of alcohol or substance abuse, or history of major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia that puts assessment of cognitive impairment into question. Clinically significant abnormalities in B12, RPR or TFTs that might interfere with the study.
What is Involved?
Testing: Neurological and physical examinations; interview and study partner; MRI’s; FDG-PET;AV-45 PET; cognitive testing; detailed family history; blood and urine specimen collection for cell line generation and biomarker analysis; lumbar punctures (LP) for CSF specimen collection and biomarker analysis; questionnaires for participant and study partner.
Frequency of visits: After an initial screening visit and MRI, there will be a baseline visit, a 3-month, 6-month visit, and then 1 visit every 12 months for 54 months from the baseline
Contact Information
Coordinator: Katharine Vierira, RN, MS, NP- kevieira@ucdavis.edu, 925-372-2493
Assistant Coordinator: Adi Rabb Kondonijakos, M.A.- arabb@ucdavis.edu, 925-372-2464
Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging and Memory Investigators-DeCarli, Mungas, Reed
Recruiting at both Sites? YES
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ UCD Medical Center
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ Martinez VA
Official Study Title: Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging and Memory Conditions studied: Healthy Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer’s disease
Purpose: This is a longitudinal study looking at the effects of aging on cognition in older adults. The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of what healthy aging is, and to identify transitions into degenerative brain disease. This study also refers its volunteers to other projects they may be eligible for within the Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Eligibility Inclusion criteria: Aged 70 years and older with mild memory problems.
Exclusion criteria:Significant memory problems or diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.
What is Involved
Testing: A neurological exam, cognitive testing, blood draw for genetics studies, interview with a study partner, (someone who knows you well and can comment on any changes over time in your memory, thinking, personality, or behavior), brain MRI and yearly follow-up appointments.
Frequency of visits: 3-4 visits (8-12 hours total) of your time within a three month period, every year.
Materials needed prior to evaluation: None
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Parking will be validated. Participants will be reimbursed $50-$100 for each annual evaluation.
Contact Information:
Sacramento area:
Esther Barajas-Ochoa, 916-734-2123
Esther.barajasochoa@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Martinez area:
Gwen Gates, 925-372-2467
Gmgates@ucdavis.edu
English and Spanish Assessment of Cognition in the Elderly Investigators-Mungas, Reed
Study director: Dan Mungas, Ph.D
Sponsor: National Institute of Aging
Recruiting at both Sites? YES
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ UCD Medical Center
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ Martinez VA
Official Study Title: English and Spanish Assessment of Cognition in Elderly
Conditions studied: Healthy Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop psychological tests to assess these changes. This study is important because problems with mental functioning occur with increasing frequency in the older population. This study also refers its volunteers to other projects they may be eligible for within the Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria: English and Spanish speaking seniors 70- years and older with no more then mild memory problems.
Exclusion criteria: Significant memory problems or diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease.
What is Involved?
Testing: You will be administered brief tests of memory and verbal abilities that will take about 15 minutes. You will also be asked questions regarding your medical history and medications. You may be asked to participate in additional procedures. If you agree, you will be administered additional psychological tests of verbal and non-verbal abilities, attention and concentration, and memory. These tests can take up to 4 hours to complete. We will also interview a person who knows you well to obtain information about how well you do daily activities. We will invite some people to receive a complete neurological evaluation. We may also invite you to participate in other research studies connected with the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Frequency of visits: .5-4 hours
Materials needed prior to evaluation: None
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Parking will be validated. Participants will be reimbursed $10.00 per hour.
Contact Information:
Sacramento area: Esther Barajas-Ochoa, 916-734-2123
Esther.barajasochoa@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu,
Martinez area: Gwen Gates, 925-372-2467
Gmgates@ucdavis.edu
Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) II
Study directory: John Olichney, MD
Sponsor: Northern California Institute for Research and Education (NCIRE) and National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Recruiting Sites?
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ Martinez VA: YES
UC Davis-Alzheimer’s Disease Center @ UCDMC: NO
Official study title: Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-2 (ADNI-2)
Conditions studied: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Healthy Aging.
Purpose: The goal of this study is to determine the relationship among the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic and biochemical biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as the pathology evolves from normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), to dementia. ADNI-2, will provide additional information about the identification of diagnostic and prognostic markers, identify outcome measures and most effective clinical trial scenarios.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria: Participants must be between the ages of 55 and 90 and be in good general health with memory problems or concerns. Participants will need a reliable study partner who has frequent contact with the participant, and who can accompany the participant to research visits as needed. Participant must be willing and able to undergo all test procedures including neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture and agree to longitudinal follow-up.
Exclusion criteria: Any significant neurological disease other than Alzheimer’s disease including Parkinson’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington’s disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma. Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition, or pacemaker, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body. Longstanding history of alcohol or substance abuse, or history of major depression, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia that puts assessment of cognitive impairment into question. Clinically significant abnormalities in B12, RPR or TFTs that might interfere with the study.
What is Involved?
Testing: Neurological and physical examinations; interview and study partner; MRI’s; FDG-PET;AV-45 PET; cognitive testing; detailed family history; blood and urine specimen collection for cell line generation and biomarker analysis; lumbar punctures (LP) for CSF specimen collection and biomarker analysis; questionnaires for participant and study partner.
Frequency of visits: After an initial screening visit and MRI, there will be a baseline visit, a 3-month, 6-month visit, and then 1 visit every 12 months for 54 months from the baseline Materials needed prior to evaluation: None
Cost: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Participants will be sent a check for $50.00 for every clinic visit and $200 for every lumbar puncture, $25.00 for each MRI, $25.00 for each FDG-PET, and $50.00 for each AV-45 PET. The participant will also receive a $50.00 gift card once a year.
Contact Information
Coordinator: Katharine Vierira, RN, MS, NP- kevieira@ucdavis.edu, 925-372-2493
Assistant Coordinator: Adi Rabb Kondonijakos, M.A.- arabb@ucdavis.edu, 925-372-2464