Research

Investigating changes in cognitive functioning over time to learn more about normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Study is looking for adults with or without cognitive changes over the age of 55. Contact Holly Bunker at hlbunker@med.umich.edu or 734-615-5319. This study team sees participants in Ann Arbor and Detroit. A study flyer is available here. 

This study tests the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function for its ability to detect early signs of cognitive decline and to differentiate among cognitive health and cognitive illness. Participants must be part of (or willing to be part of) the University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP) in addition to this study. The study is looking for adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) age 65-85. Contact Jordan Fisher at jordanfi@med.umich.edu or 734-936-5985. This study team sees participants in Ann Arbor and Detroit. The study flyer is available here.

This trial is researching the safety and effectiveness of an investigational medication in people who might be at increased risk for developing memory loss associated with AD. The study is looking for participants age 55-80 years old, who have generally normal memory function in daily life, and who are not being treated for memory problems. For individuals age 55-64 years old, an additional risk factor is required, such as a parent or sibling with AD or previous biomarker testing showing increased risk for developing AD. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Lauren Mackenzie at spearsl@med.umich.edu or 734-232-2415. A study flyer is available here.

This study is comparing the brain activity seen using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) with brain activity seen using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and to compare the brain activity seen with these two types of imaging across people with different diagnoses. This is being done to learn more about the types of imaging used to look at the changes in the brain that lead to cognitive changes. The study is looking for adults aged 50 and older, with normal cognition, AD or a related dementia. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Megan Schumer at schummeg@med.umich.edu or 734-232-3960.

This study is looking to understand how vascular changes in later life cause brain injury and cognitive decline. Participants must be part of (or willing to be part of) the University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project in addition to this study. The study team is looking for African American adults 65-90 years old with either normal cognition and memory concerns or a diagnosis of MCI to participate. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor or Detroit. Contact Danielle Davis at daviscd@med.umich.edu or 734-615-8378 to participate. A study flyer is available here.

This study is investigating whether certain driving behaviors can differentiate individuals who are cognitively healthy and those who have cognitive difficulties. The study team is recruiting individuals ages 65 and older who are either cognitively healthy or have a diagnosis of MCI, have a valid driver’s license, drive at least once per week, and drive a car that is model year 1996 or newer. Driving data is kept confidential and is used for research purposes only. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Contact the study team at cal-npresearch@med.umich.edu or 734-232-0128. A study flyer is available here.

This is an NIH-funded neuroimaging study that aims to understand whether the brain’s serotonin system is a critical modifier of disease burden in Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB).  We are looking for interested participants with DLB age 60 or older not on serotonin medications. The study involves undergoing a day of clinical testing at MADC and two days of imaging testing at the University Hospital. Please contact the study team with any questions. Study coordinator: Cate Lewis; Email: cathlewi@med.umich.edu; Phone: 734-232-1199.

Testing the utility of electroencephalographic (EEG) and computerized testing in identifying the first signs of dementia in at-risk African Americans. ELECTRA is a collaborative project between Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. Participants must be part of (or willing to be part of) the University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP) in addition to this study. Eligible participants will be cognitively normal African Americans age 65 or older who are concerned about their memory and thinking. The study team sees participants in Detroit at Wayne State University; travel to Ann Arbor may be required as part of the UM-MAP study. Contact the ELECTRA study team at ELECTRA@lists.wayne.edu or 313-577-1692. A study flyer is available here.

This study aims to understand what changes might predict the end of life in people living with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This information will help patients, caregivers, families, and health care professionals know what to expect in later stages of DLB. Study is enrolling individuals with at least moderate stage DLB and their main caregiver, and the caregiver must be able to answer questionnaires related to the DLB and caregiver experience. Study is conducted via Zoom or by phone. Contact Betsy Posby at blwar@med.umich.edu or 734-358-7370. A study flyer is available here.

This study aims to evaluate frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients and asymptomatic family members of FTLD patients, characterizing the cohorts longitudinally and informing clinical trial design. The study is looking for adults age 18 or older with a diagnosis of FTLD or with normal cognition who have a family member with FTLD. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Kiren Chaudhry at chaudhki@umich.edu or 734-615-3593.

This study is a longitudinal research project investigating how the brain changes with age, how those changes relate to cognitive function, and what might cause those changes. The study is looking for healthy, cognitively intact adults, age 65 and older with normal or corrected-to-normal hearing, vision and motor control to complete 3 in-person sessions which include cognitive (thinking) tests and 2 MRI brain scans. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Esther Kim at kesther@umich.edu or 734-763-0343. A study flyer is available here.

This study evaluates the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and cognitive rehabilitation to improve cognitive abilities in those living with primary progressive aphasia (PPA) or posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). The study is looking for adults with PPA or PCA over the age of 50. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Stephen Schlaefflin at schlst@med.umich.edu or 734-936-7360. A study flyer is available here.

This study examines the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) as a potential treatment for cognitive challenges in those living with Lewy body dementia (LBD). The study is looking for adults diagnosed with LBD who are over the age of 50. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact PDresearch@umich.edu or 734-998-8400. A study flyer is available here.

This study investigates the potential benefits of varying doses of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation combined with cognitive rehabilitation. The study is looking for adults with MCI or AD over the age of 55. This study sees participants in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Contact Stephen Schlaefflin at schlst@med.umich.edu or 734-936-7360. A study flyer is available here.

“SuperAgers” are adults over age 80 who have the memory ability of individuals at least 3 decades younger. The SuperAging Research Initiative studies these cognitively healthy older adults to identify protective factors that contribute to such remarkable memory performance, including cognitive, lifestyle, genetic, and brain factors. The study is recruiting individuals age 80 and older who are cognitively healthy, fluent in English, and willing to participate in a longitudinal study (visits every 2 years as able). This study sees participants in Ann Arbor and Detroit. Contact Marylee Scherdt at mscherdt@med.umich.edu or 734-764-6157. A study flyer is available here.

This research study is using a form of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. The study aims to use TMS to learn more about measures of the ability of the brain to adapt or change. The study team is looking for adults 50 and older with normal cognition, MCI, AD, FTD, PDD, and other related dementias. The study sees participants in Ann Arbor. Contact Stephen Schlaefflin at schlst@med.umich.edu or 734-936-7360.

There is a concern that people who experience a decline in memory or thinking skills may unknowingly also experience a decline in taking care of their finances. The study will review the past 12 months of checking- account and credit card records and administer some psychological and cognitive tests. Study is looking for English-speaking adults aged 60 or older, diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or self-reported cognitive impairment. Contact Vanessa Rorai at vrorai@wayne.edu or 313-664-2604. This study does not require any in-person visits; it will be completely remote via telephone. A study flyer is available here.

This study is examining how individuals learn associations between different objects or concepts for the first time, and how these associations may change over time. Participants will be asked to complete tasks over the computer through Zoom for up to one hour. The study is looking for participants between 65 and 89 years old with normal cognition. Contact Jessica Katschke at gh9613@wayne.edu or 704-534-0487. A study flyer is found here.

This study investigates how the availability and circumstances of family members influence the type and level of care over time. The study’s focus is to learn the social, financial, and health circumstances of family members of persons with dementia and how the care availability changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It also aims to learn about dementia care transitions influenced by changes in family circumstances. The study is recruiting spouses or adult children of an adult who received a dementia diagnosis at least one year ago. This study sees participants virtually or over the phone. Contact Bona Park at parkbo@umich.edu or 734-985-0526. A study flyer is available here.

Investigating new brain imaging approaches that investigators hope will identify protein accumulations in the brain of individual patients with PD-related dementia. This study is looking for adults age 55 and older with Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), or Alzheimer’s disease with at least one symptom of DLB. Contact Ishita Ghosh at isghosh@med.umich.edu or 734-936-1035. A study flyer is available here.

This study investigates the effects of cognitive training as a possible method for improving cognition. Study is recruiting adults age 60 and older without any cognitive complaints or with mild cognitive impairment for training. Sessions may involve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the participant’s brain which uses magnetic fields. This study is seeing participants in Ann Arbor. Contact the study team at MemoryTrainingStudy@umich.edu or 734-647-3704. A study flyer is available here.

The APT Webstudy is an online memory and thinking research tool aimed at accelerating enrollment into Alzheimer’s clinical trials by identifying and tracking individuals who may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s.  The study is looking for adults over age 50.  Contact the study  team at info@aptwebstudy.org or 1-858-877-3135, or visit https://www.aptwebstudy.org/welcome for more information about the study. This is a web-based study; a computer or mobile device with internet is necessary to participate. A study flyer is available here.

This study is exploring older adults’ adoption of new information and communication technologies and hopes to determine cognitive, emotional, and social benefits of information and communication technology use for individuals with MCI and dementia. The study team is looking for adults over 50 years old with MCI or early stage dementia. Stable access to the internet and a camera on a mobile phone or computer is required. Contact Anastasia Kononova at kononova@msu.edu or 573-825-2851.

Study team is hoping to find out whether a videoconferencing behavioral intervention for sleep troubles provided to both persons living with cognitive impairment and their caregivers is practical, useful, and improves sleep. This study is recruiting both persons living with cognitive impairment (MCI, mild to moderate dementia) and their care partners. Contact Dr. Glenna Brewster at glenna.brewster@emory.edu or 404-712-9164. This study is delivered all online. A study flyer is available here.

The SWELCare study focuses on the daily experiences, well-being, and cardiovascular health of individuals living with a family member or friend who is experiencing cognitive decline. The study team is looking for caregivers and persons with cognitive decline over the age of 18 to participate. No formal diagnosis of dementia is required. This study takes place virtually or by phone. Contact Akari Oya at sswelcarestudy@umich.edu or 734-936-7489. A study flyer is available here.

The Siblings Caring for Parents with Dementia Study is recruiting adult children providing care to an older parent with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia to discuss their unique experiences. Participants will engage in a conversation using Zoom, complete 3 online surveys and self-collect hair and saliva samples. The study is recruiting two adult children (over age 18) in the same family who are caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia to participate. Contact Megan Gilligan at mgilliga@iastate.edu or 515-294-5074. A study flyer is available here.