Illiteracy and Vulnerability to Alzheimer's Disease: Evaluation of Amyloid Pathology by PET Imaging...
Alzheimer DiseaseThe goal of this study is to improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) at two different stages (MCI and dementia) in illiterate subjects, using FDG- fluorodeoxyglucose - and florbetapir F 18 -PET imaging. This study will compare amyloid load and cerebral metabolism dysfunction in literate versus illiterate MCI and AD patients.
Passport to Brain Wellness in Sedentary Adults
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentAlzheimer's DiseaseNumerous modifiable lifestyle factors have been identified that may affect the risk of older adults developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence suggests that interventions to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors would be beneficial in slowing cognitive decline and decreasing the risk of incident MCI and AD. The overall objective of this pilot study, funded as a supplement to Keep Active Minnesota (KAM) (03-024; R01-AG023410) is to develop and test the feasibility of conducting a multi-domain intervention to maintain cognitive health in adults ages 60-80 with the goal of reducing the incidence of and slowing progression to MCI and other more severe forms of cognitive decline.
Practice Effects and Amyloid Imaging Using 18F-PIB or Flutemetamol PET and FDG-PET
Alzheimer's DiseaseAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of progressive cognitive decline in the United States. AD is characterized by severe impairments in learning, memory and other cognitive abilities that significantly interfere with daily functioning. The neuropathologic hallmarks of AD consist of neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and selective neuronal cell loss. Amyloid plaques, which contain Abeta protein, are believed to play an integral role in the development of AD. Elevated levels of Abeta in the brain are also correlated with cognitive decline. Alzheimer's (AD) develops insidiously, making it difficult to identify early, yet treatment is most effective when begun during the early stages of the disease. Thus, it has become important for researchers to identify markers of early AD. This project will examine the relationship between four potential markers that may indicate the early development of AD: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)or normal cognition Practice effects Amyloid plaque binding on 18F-PIB PET Glucose hypometabolism on FDG PET This project will recruit 25 subjects from an ongoing community-based study of memory and practice effects in cognitively normal, community-dwelling individuals who are age 65 and over (NIA #5K23AG028417-05). Each subject will undergo positron emission tomography (PET) with both 18F-Flutemetamol and FDG. The overall objective of this companion project is to study the biodistribution and binding of 18F-Flutemetamol in these subjects using PET imaging, which will provide biological evidence to support the overall hypothesis that failure to benefit from practice on a learning paradigm is an early marker of AD.
Impact of Controlling Vascular Risk Factors on the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's DiseaseCardiovascular Risk FactorsThree quarters of patients with Alzheimer's disease have at least one vascular risk factor (VRF). Vascular brain lesions are present in most Alzheimer's patients (especially older ones). This cerebrovascular disease potentiates Alzheimer's lesions in early-stage disease. Many research studies have shown that VRFs are also risk factors for Alzheimer's disease; this is true for arterial hypertension and dyslipidaemia in particular and, to a lesser extent, diabetes and cardiopathy. Moreover, recent drug trials (SYST-EUR, PROGRESS and HOPE) have indicated that antihypertensive medications can prevent the appearance of dementia (and notably Alzheimer's disease) in over-60 hypertensive subjects. An observational study of 233 Alzheimer's patients with an average follow-up period of 4 years has shown that the annual decline in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was lower in patients in whom all the VRFs were being treated than in patients in whom no VRFs were being treated (1.5 ± 2.5 points versus 2.5 ± 2 points, respectively; p<0.04).1 However, it is not currently known whether optimal treatment of VRFs can influence the progression and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease. Answering this question could have a significant impact on public health.
Evaluation of the Diagnostic Potential of BAY1006578 in Probable Alzheimers Disease Patients Versus...
Diagnostic ImagingPET (positron emission tomography) imaging with BAY1006578 for investigation of diagnostic potential in probable Alzheimer Disease patients versus healthy volunteers and radiation dosimetry in healthy volunteers.
Multiple Ascending Dose Study of TC-5619 in Healthy Elderly Subjects and Subjects With Alzheimer's...
Alzheimer's DiseaseThis is a Phase 1 study to examine the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of TC-5619 in elderly subjects with and without Alzheimer's disease. Group 1 includes elderly subjects with Alzheimer's disease to receive TC-5619 or placebo for 28 days to evaluate safety and tolerability. Group 2 includes healthy elderly subjects in a dose escalation design to receive TC-5619 or placebo for 10 days to evaluate safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics.
Cerebral and Peripheral Perfusion Pilot Study
Alzheimer's DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the hypothesis that in middle-aged, asymptomatic, adult children of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD), atorvastatin therapy will beneficially affect mechanisms thought to contribute to AD risk by improving blood flow in the brain, improving cerebral perfusion, increasing brain activity patterns, and improving blood vessel function.
Effects of Exercise and Cognitive Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
AgingAlzheimer's DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the effects of exercise and cognitive training on improving brain function in healthy older adults who may be at risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease.
Home-Based Assessment for Alzheimer Disease Prevention
Mild Cognitive ImpairmentAlzheimer's DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to evaluate three methods of performing home-based assessments in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) prevention trials. The initial in-person assessment will be done in the clinic or at home.
Neurogenetic Pharmaceuticals (NGP) 555 in Healthy Young Volunteers (Single-ascending Dose)
Alzheimer's DiseaseNGP 555 is a small molecule preventative therapy aimed at reducing Alzheimer's disease amyloid buildup by targeting Abeta 42 production.