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At the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, we're doing more than imagining the future. We're doing the work to make it real. Join us and be part of the progress.
To learn how you or a loved one can take part in a study, call 913-588-0555 (option 1) or complete the Sign Me Up! form online.
KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center Clinical Cohort
A National Institute of Health (NIH) grant-funded study to develop and maintain a well characterized group of individuals to support further research on memory and aging.
Type of Study: Observational (no treatment)
Who can participate? Individuals with memory loss age 50 and older
What are the procedures? Clinical memory assessment, pen and paper test, blood draw
How long is participation? A long-term longitudinal study with up to 3 visits annually
Is there compensation? No
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 4 (ADNI 4)
Since its launch in 2004, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study has been validating biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials. ADNI4 continues the previously funded ADNI1, ADNI-GO, ADNI2, and ADNI3 studies. ADNI is an observational research study, which means it has no study drug or intervention. This study is designed to look at the relationship between clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic, and biomarker tests to learn more about brain health and the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from its earliest stages. The ADNI study will enroll participants from three groups:
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- Cognitively Normal (CN) group: individuals with no apparent memory problems.
- Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) group: individuals diagnosed with early or late stages of mild memory problems.
- Dementia (DEM) group: individuals diagnosed with a mild stage dementia.
Type of Study: Observational (no treatment)
Who can participate? Individuals with normal cognition age 65-90 and individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment or mild Alzheimer’s disease age 55-90
What are the procedures? Procedures include questionnaires, cognitive testing, MRI scans, PET scans, fasting blood draws, and optional lumbar punctures.
How long is participation? Five years with an option to continue enrollment.
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this resarch being done? Research studies are designed to help answer questions that will contribute to the Alzheimer’s disease research field. The ADNI study is designed to determine the relationships between the clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic, and biochemical biomarker characteristics of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Acute Exercise Response On Brain Imaging and Cognition (AEROBIC)
A study to test how the brain uses glucose after a single bout of aerobic exercise in older adults and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Type of Study: Short-term observational
Who can participate? Adults over 60 years old. Both normal cognition, and mild memory complaints
What are the procedures? Pen and paper tests, questionnaires, blood draws, fitness tests, PET scans, a single bout of aerobic exercise, blood draws, MRI
How long is participation? 4-5 week, 4 visits
Is there compensation? Yes
Sleep Intervention to Enhance Cognitive Status & Reduce Beta Amyloid (SIESTA)
A study to explore whether cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia improves cognitive function in older adults and reduces the rate of beta amyloid deposition.
Type of Study: Behavioral intervention (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia)
Who can participate? Individuals age 60-85 with insomnia who are cognitively normal
What are the study procedures? 3 overnight polysomnography visits, 3 cognitive assessment visits, 6 intervention sessions, monthly phone call for 1 year, 2 optional PET/MRI scans
How long is participation? 15 months (6-week active intervention)
Is there compensation? Yes
Therapeutic Diets in Alzheimer's Disease (TDAD)
We are interested in learning about the possible brain benefits of a heart-healthy or ketogenic eating pattern. Participants will follow either a ketogenic (high fat, low carb) or heart-healthy eating pattern for three months.
Who can participate? Individuals aged 50-90 with MCI or Alzheimer's Disease who have a study partner
What are the procedures? Physical exam, blood draws, questionnaires, cognitive testing, MRI, urine testing
How long is participation? Three months of diet intervention and one-month follow-up phone call with up to seven visits for the exams, blood draws, testing, and imaging procedures
How many visits are there? Yes
Is there compensation? A maximum of seven visits
Why is this research being done? We are hoping to learn more about the nutritional benefits of a heart-healthy diet and a KETO diet for those with dementia. This information will help us to improve the diet of those who Alzheimer’s disease.
Combined Exercise Trial (COMET)
A study to test whether endurance training, weight lifting, or both have independent and combined benefits for brain and body health as we age.
Type: Moderate intensity endurance exercise, weight training or both
Who can participate? Underactive individuals age 65+
What are the study procedures? Physical exam, computer and paper tests, questionnaires, blood collection, fitness tests, and MRI
How long is participation? 12 months of intervention
Is there compensation? Yes
AHEAD A3-45 Study: A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Treatment Arm, 216 Week Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Treatment with BAN2401 in subjects (AHEAD)
A study to determine whether treatment with the study drug, BAN2401, is safe and effective in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease in individuals with higher risk for developing the disease.
Type of Study: Investigational medicine (chance of placebo)
Who can participate? Individuals age 55-80 years old who have risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease
What are the study procedures? MRI's, PET scans, pen and paper tests, questionnaires, blood draws, infusions, physical/neurological exams, optional lumbar puncture
How long is participation? 4 1/2 years
Is there compensation: Yes
SHIMMER COG1201
The COG1201 “Shimmer” study is a medication trial assessing the safety of CT1812 (pill medication) as a possible treatment for people diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia with Lewy Bodies. Click here to learn more.
Type of Study: Investigational medicine (chance of placebo)
Who can participate? Individuals of age 50-85 and diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia with Lewy Bodies
What are the study procedures? Blood draws, physical exams, pen and paper tests, infusions, MRI’s, PET scans, lumbar punctures, and other assessments as needed
How long is participation? Attend 12 study visits over approximately 8 months
Is there compensation? Yes
A Study to Verify the Clinical Benefit of Aducanumab in Participants With Early Alzheimer's Disease (ENVISION)
The purpose of this study is to continue to evaluate the clinical benefit of aducanumab compared with placebo in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aducanumab received accelerated approval from the FDA in 2021 and this study is being conducted to fulfill a post-marketing requirement.
Type of Study: Investigational medicine (chance of placebo)
Who can participate? Participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
What are the study procedures? IV infusions, memory testing, questionnaires, blood draws, PET scans, and MRIs. Lumbar punctures are optional.
How long is participation? Up to 134 weeks (about 2.5 years) for about 20 visits
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? The purpose of this study is to continue to evaluate the clinical benefit of aducanumab compared with placebo in participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
CareTEXT Program: Eliminating barriers to dementia caregiver support access in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray counties
This non-research, text-based program supports caregivers of people with dementia (available in English and Spanish).
Type of Study: This is a quality improvement program, not a research study. Program participants will receive educational and skill-building text messages to support their caregiving including the ability to chat with a trained coach who can help connect participants with resources.
Who can participate? Caregivers of individuals with dementia in Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, and Ray counties
What are the procedures? Two phone calls, not in person. (baseline and 6-mo. follow up)
How long is the program? Six months
Is there compensation? No
Click here to sign up or email kuadrc@kumc.edu for more information.
Assessment of DeMentia nutrition Intervention needs among care Recipients and carEgivers (ADMIRE)
Nutrition plays an important role in disease prevention and brain health, but we don’t know how the nutrition status of caregivers and how it impacts their care recipients. This study’s objective is to characterize the nutrition-related needs of caregivers/persons with dementia pairs and evaluate for relationships between caregiver characteristics and care recipient’s nutrition status and to identify perceived caregiver nutrition needs, barriers, and facilitators to guide the design of a future study.
Type of Study: Observational (no treatment)
Who can participate? Adult caregivers of a person with dementia
- Caregivers must live in the home with their care recipient and are the food planner for the household.
What are the procedures? A registered dietitian will complete a brief, non-invasive physical exam with both the caregiver and your care recipient. Exams will occur separately/privately and take about 30 minutes. There are multiple questionnaires that ask about food and nutrition knowledge, history, and caregiving experience in general. Most questionnaires can be completed separately, all together it will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
- Questionnaires can be completed online at a later time if they aren’t able to be completed at the study visit.
How long is the study? One in-person visit (approximately 2 hours)
Is there any compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? We want to better understand the nutritional needs of caregivers and factors associated with nutrition status in persons with dementia. Our long-term goal is to optimize the nutrition status of caregivers and their care recipients through pragmatic intervention.
Down Syndrome Cohort
Study overview: The Down syndrome Cohort study is a long-term, observational study. The goal of the Down syndrome Cohort study is to follow a group of participants with Down syndrome over time to learn more about brain health related to aging. This study collects a broad range of detailed information from each participant to support further research on individuals with Down syndrome in relation to aging, cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Who can participate? Adults with Down syndrome who are 18 years old or older and have a study partner who is able to attend study visits with the participant.
What are the study procedures? There are three visits within three months and some visits can be combined
- Clinical Evaluation to collect health history, family history, questionaries, brief non-invasive physical and neuro exam, vitals
- Fasting Laboratory Blood Draw
- Memory and Thinking Evaluation
How long is participation? This is a long-term longitudinal study.
How many visits are there? Three visits every 16 months
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? The purpose of this study is to learn more about people who have Down syndrome and their brain health. The information collected will help to contribute to local, regional, and national research studies.
Down Syndrome Cohort Study Flyer
Trial Ready Cohort - Down Syndrome
Study overview: The Trial Ready Cohort-Down Syndrome or TRC-DS matches adults with Down syndrome to Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials designed specifically for people with Down syndrome. Volunteers will become a part of a community of clinical trial volunteers who can help to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Who can participate? Adults with Down syndrome who are between the ages of 25-55 and have no memory impairment.
What are the study procedures?
- Screening
- Blood draws, MRI and PET scans, questionnaires, and a cognitive assessment.
- Baseline
- Questionnaires, cognitive assessment, blood draw, PET, and optional lumbar puncture
- 16 – Month Follow Up
- Questionnaires, cognitive assessment, blood draw, MRI and PET, and optional lumbar puncture
How long is participation? Every 16 months until the participant is matched with an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial.
How many visits are there? Initial screening and baseline visits followed by a regular visit every 16 months until enrollment in a clinical trial.
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? Alzheimer’s disease occurs more frequently in people with Down syndrome because they have an extra copy of chromosome 21. As many as 9 in 10 people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease. Through routine screenings, researchers can fast-track TRC-DS volunteers for enrollment in qualifying clinical studies in hope of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.
Trial Ready Cohort - DS Study Flyer
Brain Outcomes and Lifestyle in Down Syndrome (BOLD)
Study overview: The BOLD study is a two-visit observational study. The goal of this study is to learn more about how diet impacts brain health among those with Down syndrome. This study collects a broad range of detailed information from each participant to support further research on individuals with Down syndrome in relation to aging, cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Who can participate? Adults with Down syndrome who are 18 years old or older, have a BMI of 25 or greater and have a study partner who is able to attend study visits with the participant.
What are the study procedures? There are up to three study visits over one month period and some visits can be combined, the visits will involve the following:
- Fasting Laboratory Blood Draw
- Memory and Thinking Evaluation
- Evaluation of Diet, Physical activity, and weight
- MRI
- Caregiver questionnaires
How long is participation? Up to one month
How many visits are there? Two in-person and one remote visit in a one-month period
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? The purpose of this study is to conduct an initial evaluation of the impact of weight loss and diet quality on factors that may delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome.