Each of the study procedures provides valuable information about how an individual is functioning in daily life and what changes in the brain may be responsible for any changes in function. Collectively, this information provides a ‘window’ on the earliest phases of Alzheimer’s disease, the point in time when intervention may be most effective.
Clinical and Cognitive Assessments (~3 hrs)
- Clinical Evaluations – We collect information about general health, medications and medical history. We measure blood pressure, pulse, height and weight. A skilled clinician completes a physical and neurological exam to test strength, reflexes, vision, and balance. This type of evaluation provides information about aspects of health that may have an impact on mental abilities. We also collect information about life style factors such as physical activity, mental activity, social engagement, and hearing so that we can examine whether these factors reduce risk for the development and progression of memory loss.
- Cognitive Assessments – We evaluate mental abilities, including: memory, language, spatial ability, attention, and other thinking skills. Most of these tests are administered using paper and pencil, and some are on a computer. We also ask you and your ‘Study Partner’ about your functioning in daily life. These assessments provide information about whether there are any changes in your thinking abilities over time.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scans (MRIs) (~1 hr)
- MRI Scans – An MRI scan provides information about the structure and function of the brain, including the volume of individual brain regions and the way in which brain regions interact with one another. Many people who are cognitively unimpaired have selective changes in brain volume and in the way brain regions connect with one another. We are interested in seeing what changes are common with aging and which changes are related to risk of cognitive decline.
Positron Emission Tomography Scans (PETs) (~2 hrs per scan)
- PET Scans – The PET scans provide information about the accumulation of the brain proteins known as amyloid and tau, which are the hallmark changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. All individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia have increased accumulations of amyloid and tau. However, people who are cognitively unimpaired can also have accumulations of amyloid and tau. We are interested in understanding the importance of amyloid and tau accumulation for thinking abilities and for risk of cognitive decline.
Collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) (~2 hrs)
- CSF Collection – CSF is collected using a procedure known as a lumbar puncture (LP) or spinal tap. We collect CSF because many proteins, fats and other substances in the brain are altered in patients with Alzheimer’s disease dementia. However, people who are cognitively unimpaired can also have alterations in some of these molecules. CSF provides valuable information about some of the earliest changes in the brain. We are interested in understanding the importance of molecules measured in CSF for thinking abilities and for risk of cognitive decline.
Collection of Blood (~15 minutes)
- Blood collection – Blood is collected at every in-person visit. Blood assays now provide valuable information about changes in the brain, even though it is a collected from someone’s arm. We are collecting blood because many proteins, fats and other substances are altered early in the course of Alzheimer’s disease. We are particularly interested in comparing measures of these substances derived from blood, with those derived from CSF, with the goal of using blood to screen participants, track changes over time and expand our ability to study the earliest phases of Alzheimer’s disease.