Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Longitudinal Study

Study schedule:
At the start of the study, you will have two study visits. Each visit will take 4-6 hours.
-You will do cognitive testing.
-You will answer questions about your mood, sleep, and habits.
-You will have a medical exam.
-You will give a blood sample.
-You will give a spinal fluid sample.
-You will have a brain scan (described below).

During the study, you will visit the study center once per year. Some or all of the study-start activities will be repeated.
The study will continue for the rest of your life.
After your death, your brain will examined under a microscope.

Study activities may include:
-Doing cognitive testing and answering questions about your mood, sleep, and habits, which may be in the form of interview-style conversations, paper-and-pencil questionnaires, computer tests, and/or other activities.
-Having a medical exam.
-Having a sample of blood taken from your arm vein, using a needle.
-Having a sample of spinal fluid taken from your lower back (spine), using a needle. This is also known as a lumbar puncture or spinal tap.
-Having a brain scan (described below).
-Donating your brain to science after your death.

Treatment or experiment details:
-The brain scan is an MRI. For this, you will lie inside the scanning machine for about an hour while it takes a 3D image of your brain.
-Brain donation involves having an autopsy after death.
-There is no treatment or experiment being tested in this study.

Additional details:
-As a participant in this study, you will receive yearly feedback about your cognitive testing and your overall health. You will also have access to a social worker, quality of life programs, and education events. You will also have the opportunity to learn about other related research studies. ****

Eligibility:

You could be eligible for this study if:
You either:
-Have mild cognitive impairment; or
-Have young-onset Alzheimer’s (starting before the age of 65); or
-Have frontotemporal dementia; or
-Have Lewy body dementia; or
-Are 65 or older, healthy, and have normal cognition.
You have a ‘study partner’—a family member, friend, or caregiver—who would be willing to come with you on study visits and to answer questions about you.

You may not be eligible for this study if:
-You have a significant medical, neurological, or psychiatric condition, including cancer, stroke, diabetes, major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. ****