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Explore Study Opportunities
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.
What are the study 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.
How many visits are there? Visits may vary depending on the study group assignments. Typically, participants come in for a yearly or biyearly visit, not to exceed six visits per yearly study visit.
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research 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.
Olfactory Function in Various Populations (AROMA + ML)
A longitudinal observation study investigating the link between noninvasive olfactory testing, ADRD biomarkers, and cognitive performance.
Who can participate? Adults aged 50-80 with MCI or AD.
What are the procedures? Memory assessment, physical assessment, olfactory assessment, blood draw, MRI (optional)
How long is participation? Three (3) years
How many study visits are there? Four (4) visits
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? There is a lack of noninvasive methods for reliably testing and screening for Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. To address this critical issue, we are investigating how performance on olfactory testing - and patterns of correct and incorrect responses - is linked to other dementia biomarkers. This data will allow us, with the help of machine learning algorithms, to build predictive models that may one day be used in accessible, noninvasive screening for Alzheimer's Disease and dementia.
Mitochondrial Biomarkers for AD (MAD)
The MAD Study was developed to delve deeper into the fascinating connection between biomarkers in the blood and how they are reflected in neuroimaging outcomes and changes in cognitive function.
Who can participate? Open to individuals aged 55 or older with or without cognitive impairment.
What are the study procedures? Cognitive testing, blood draw, MRI, and FDG PET.
How long is participation? 1 month
How many visits are there? A total of 2-3
Why is this research being done? Examining mitochondrial biomarkers in the blood will help to pave the way for potential Alzheimer’s treatment in the future.
Is there compensation available? Yes
Risk and Protective Factors for Cognitive Function in the Menopause Transition (Meno-Cog)
Little is known about how common symptoms of menopause are inter-related This study will examine the cognitive changes reported by women during their menopausal transition and how they are affected by sleep, physical activity, hot flashes, and night sweats.
Who can participate? Women experiencing the transition into menopause, between the ages of 40 and 60. Must have one or more of the following:
- BMI >= 30 or Waist circumference >35 inches
- High Blood Sugar
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- High Blood Pressure
- History of smoking
What are the study procedures? A Fasting blood draw, blood pressure, BMI, waist circumference, cognitive testing, and questionnaires.
Wearing a wrist monitor at home for seven (7) days and completing daily surveys about sleep, hot flashes, and monitor wear time.
How long is participation? Seven (7) days, plus two visits before and after (no more than14 days)
How many visits are there? Two (2) visits
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? Historically, menopause has been understudied and poorly understood. This study will deepen our understanding about cognitive changes experienced during menopause. Ultimately, we hope that this research will lead to treatments and prevention tools for helping women in menopause.
AvoCog
Avocados contain many nutrients beneficial for the brain. The AvoCog Study is a 12-week dietary intervention trial that includes the consumption of avocados. Participants will have a total of four in-person study visits at The University of Kansas Medical Center campus. These visits will include various assessments, such as MRI, blood sampling, questionnaires, and memory and thinking tests.
Who can participate? Older adults aged 65-85 who eat fewer than 2 avocados per month.
What are the study procedures?
- Questionnaires
- Blood Draws
- Memory and thinking tests
- MRI
- Veggie Meter
How long is participation? 1-2 weeks for screening and 12 weeks of participation.
How many visits are there? Four
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? As the older adult population ages, more individuals are affected by cognitive decline. Lifestyle factors like diet may influence cognitive health indicators. Avocados, a nutrient-dense and brain-healthy food, may positively impact brain health and function. We want to understand if avocado consumption affects memory and thinking in this population.
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? A maximum of seven visits.
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? We aim to learn more about the nutritional benefits of a heart-healthy diet and a ketogenic diet for those with dementia. This information may help improve the diet of individuals with 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 aged 65 and older.
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
Fight-AD
Alzheimer’s is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease with various risk factors. As we age, metabolic health becomes crucial for brain health. While exercise helps with energy use in cells (metabolism), not everyone can do it effectively. Exploring hot tub use as an alternative, we aim to study if three days a week of hot tub heat therapy can enhance glucose processing in the blood and brain in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's.
Who can participate? Individuals 65 and older without cognitive impairment, including those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
What are the study procedures? Over 10 weeks, participants will sit in a hot tub for 45 minutes, three times a week.
How long is participation? 13 weeks, including screening, treatment, and follow-up.
How many visits are there? 30 sessions, in addition to screening and follow-up visits.
Is there compensation? Yes
Why is this research being done? This research aims to explore if sitting in a hot tub can substitute for exercise in improving metabolic health, particularly in enhancing the body's glucose processing. Good metabolic health is linked to brain health as we age. While exercise boosts energy use in cells (metabolism), not everyone can exercise effectively. We are exploring alternative approaches.
Heat Therapy for Alzheimer’s Podcast
A Dyadic Multicomponent Intervention for families living with dementia (ADMIRE 2.0 Pilot)
This 8-week pilot study focuses on lifestyle support for care partners and persons with dementia. More specifically, in home and virtual support will be shared about nutrition, mild exercise, sleep, social connection, and stress management.
Who can participate?
- Both care partner and person diagnosed with dementia.
- Care partners are adults aged 18 or older who spend at least 20 hours a week caring for a person with dementia.
- Persons with dementia are aged 55 or older, diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia, and reside at home.
- Both need to be able to participate in light physical activity, have internet access at home, and not have a serious medical risk within the last five (5) years.
What are the study procedures? Each week, pairs will attend two 1-hour long group sessions. Sessions include 30 minutes of light physical activity led by a health coach followed by 30 minutes of lifestyle related discussion. Additionally, pairs will have one 30-minute individual support session with a registered dietitian each week.
How long is participation? Approximately, 12 weeks, with the first 8 weeks of study participation and a post-study interview.
How many visits are there?
One virtual and two at home study visits.
The first visit is virtual to learn about the study, the second visit is at your home to help set up technology for virtual sessions, and the final end of study visit will also be at your home.
Is there compensation available? Yes
Why is this research being done? Nutrition plays a crucial role in the lives of dementia patients and their caregiver. This pilot study aims to investigate if lifestyle factors, and exercise influence the nutritional health of both individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
Investigational medicine trials are coming soon. We will provide the study details once available.
CARE: Unmasking the Financial Burden Experienced by Alzheimer's Caregivers
Study overview:
The CARE study is designed to provide recent care partners of people with dementia an opportunity to share their newfound experiences and how becoming a caregiver has impacted their daily life.
Who can participate?
People 18 years or older, who have become a caregiver to a person with dementia within the last 15-24 months. Both the person with dementia and the caregiver must reside in the same household.
What are the study procedures? A virtual interview.
How long is participation?
Participation consists of a virtual confidential one-on-one interview followed by an optional online set of surveys that should take 15-20 minutes to complete.
How many visits are there?
One virtual visit, unless an in-person or phone interview is requested by the caregiver.
Is there compensation available? Yes
Why is this research being done?
The CARE study seeks to examine the experiences of dementia caregivers, exploring how their new role affects their daily lives and overall health. By gaining insights from caregivers, we aim to enhance our understanding of caregiving dynamics and find ways to improve caregivers' quality of life.
A Dyadic Multicomponent Intervention for families living with dementia (ADMIRE 2.0 Pilot)
This 8-week pilot study focuses on lifestyle support for care partners and persons with dementia. More specifically, in home and virtual support will be shared about nutrition, mild exercise, sleep, social connection, and stress management.
Who can participate?
- Both care partner and person diagnosed with dementia.
- Care partners are adults aged 18 or older who spend at least 20 hours a week caring for a person with dementia.
- Persons with dementia are aged 55 or older, diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia, and reside at home.
- Both need to be able to participate in light physical activity, have internet access at home, and not have a serious medical risk within the last five (5) years.
What are the study procedures? Each week, pairs will attend two 1-hour long group sessions. Sessions include 30 minutes of light physical activity led by a health coach followed by 30 minutes of lifestyle related discussion. Additionally, pairs will have one 30-minute individual support session with a registered dietitian each week.
How long is participation? Approximately, 12 weeks, with the first 8 weeks of study participation and a post-study interview.
How many visits are there?
One virtual and two at home study visits.
The first visit is virtual to learn about the study, the second visit is at your home to help set up technology for virtual sessions, and the final end of study visit will also be at your home.
Is there compensation available? Yes
Why is this research being done? Nutrition plays a crucial role in the lives of dementia patients and their caregiver. This pilot study aims to investigate if lifestyle factors, and exercise influence the nutritional health of both individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
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