The KU Alzheimer and Memory Program at the University of Kansas Medical Center offers the following research programs and collaborations for volunteers.
The overall goal of the Brain Aging Project is to examine how structural MRI brain changes relate to various lifestyle factors, including fitness and physical activity, in normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. We are enrolling individuals aged 60 years or older with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and individuals with little to no memory problems This study has five visits over a 6 month period followed by five identical evaluations approximately two years later.
This is an investigator-initiated study led by Jeffrey M Burns, MD and funded in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health and by generous donations to the KU Endowment Association.
http://www.kumc.edu/news/publish/article_00526.shtml
For more information or to enroll in this study, please call the Alzheimer & Memory Program Research Line at 913-588-0555.
Dr. Heather Anderson, an Alzheimer & Memory Program physician is conducting the Alzheimer Disease Exercise Program Trial (ADEPT). This study is assessing the impact of a supervised exercise program in early Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals 60 and older with memory problems are being enrolled in this 3-month trial. Enrolled participants will participate in exercise sessions with an exercise specialist three days a week at Kirmayer Fitness Center on the KUMC campus. The project is sponsored by Oppenheimer Brothers Foundation and the KU Research Institute.
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For more information or to enroll in this study, please call the Alzheimer & Memory Program Research Line at 913-588-0555.
This national study is examining how brain imaging and other tests can measure the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early Alzheimer's disease. This study will determine the effectiveness of these measures in recognizing the earliest changes of Alzheimer’s and develop methods to measure Alzheimer’s progression for future treatment studies. Enrolled participants must be over the age of 55 and can have no memory problems, mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease. This study lasts 2 - 3 years with visits approximately every 6 months. Enrollment is closed.
http://www.loni.ucla.edu/ADNI/
The purpose of this two-year study is to determine if valproate delays the onset of behavioral problems and Alzheimer’s disease progression. Participants enrolled are aged 55 and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and with no evidence of agitation or psychotic behaviors. The study is sponsored by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study group. Enrollment is closed.
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00071721?order=41
This study will evaluate the ability of docosahexaenoic acid (omega 3 fatty acid contained in fish oil) to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. We are enrolling participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease aged 50 and older who are not currently on omega 3 fish oil supplements. This is an add-on therapy to the participant’s current medications. This study involves visits every three months over a period of 18 months. This study is being funded through the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group.
For more information or to enroll in this study, please call the Alzheimer & Memory Program Research Line at 913-588-0555.
Memory in Early Alzheimer’s with Intranasal Insulin (MAIN)
This study will look at the effects of insulin on brain function using nasal insulin spray and functional MRI scanning. This unique program will enroll 20 subjects with early Alzheimer's disease and 10 subjects without Alzheimer's disease. Participants, aged 60 and older, will have two functional MRI scans, one with insulin and one without.
For more information or to enroll in this study, please call the Alzheimer & Memory Program Research Line at 913-588-0555.
The KU Alzheimer and Memory Program is dedicated to supporting local investigators interested in conducting high-quality, innovative research projects on Alzheimer’s disease and aging. Thus, we have teamed up with individuals at the University of Kansas Medical Center to carry out other important projects.
This study is led by a biophysicist and member of the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center, Dr. In-Young Choi, PhD. The study examines the brain using a novel neuroimaging technique that measures brain chemicals related to oxidative stress. The goal is to measure the concentrations of an important antioxidant called glutathione and to understand how specific chemical changes occur in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. We are enrolling participants between 60 and 80 years of age with Alzheimer Disease.
For more information or to enroll in this study, please call the Alzheimer & Memory Program Research Line at 913-588-0555.
Dr. Cindy Teel, RN, PHD is leading a study on promoting caregiver health. We are enrolling participants (60 years and older) currently living with an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease to examine the benefits of a health program on caregiver health. Study participation requires an in-person visit and at least 2 follow-up telephone visits. Half of the study participants also receive 6 weekly telephone calls from a nurse practitioner. Each phone conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on different aspects of health.
For information regarding these studies, please contact Pat Laubinger, MPA, BSN at 913-588-0555 or plaubinger@kumc.edu.
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The University of Kansas Medical Center