Research

Help researchers find out if using simple computer technology to converse with English Language Learners might improve a sense of purpose, connectedness, and wellbeing among older adults with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. The study is looking for adults with symptoms of mild cognitive impairment over the age of 55. Contact the SPEAK study team at SPEAK Study@med.umich.edu. This study team is enrolling participants who live anywhere in the United States. A study flyer is available here.

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 A3-45 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 Alzheimer’s disease. The study is looking for people, 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 Alzheimer’s disease or previous biomarker testing showing increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Contact Lauren Mackenzie at spearsl@med.umich.edu or 734-232-2415. The study flyer is available here.

Investigating the potential benefits of varying ‘doses’ of non-invasive electrical brain stimulation combined with cognitive rehabilitation. Study is looking for adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia of the Alzheimer's type that are over the age of 55. Contact Stephen Schlaefflin at schlst@med.umich.edu or 734-936-7360. A study flyer is available here.

The study team is evaluating the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and cognitive rehabilitation to improve cognitive abilities in those suffering from primary progressive aphasia (PPA) or posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) and who are over the age of 50.  Contact Max Padgett at padgetmi@med.umich.edu or 734-764-4446 and visit https://hampstead.lab.medicine.umich.edu/home for more information. A study flyer is available here.

Examines the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) as a potential treatment for cognitive challenges in those suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. The study involves 12 visits at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and includes cognitive testing, tDCS, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Study is looking for adults diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia who are over the age of 50. If interested, please contact Max Padgett at 734-764-4446. 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.

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 Sheryl Korsnes at skorsnes@med.umich.edu or 734-998-4793. A study flyer is available here.

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. 

Testing a new set of measurements – the NIH Toolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function – for their ability to detect early signs of cognitive decline and to differentiate among cognitive health and cognitive illness. Participants must also enroll in the University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP) in addition to this study. The study is looking for adults wit mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease 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.

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.

Investigating how hearing may affect our cognitive abilities and health literacy. Persons who are eligible for this study include men and women, at least 65 years old, without hearing loss. Contact the study team at dawnmi@med.umich.edu or by phone at 734-998-2451. This study team sees participants virtually using Zoom video conferencing. Eligible subjects must reside in the United States of America and have the ability to perform a videoconference meeting online using Zoom on a computer, laptop, or tablet.

Investigating everyday experiences among couples living with early-stage (mild) dementia to learn more about ways to help both partners live well together. Study is recruiting couples in which one partner has received a diagnosis of dementia within approximately the last 5 years. Contact cwelstudy@umich.edu or 734-232-0532. This study team is enrolling participants who live within approximately 60 miles of Ann Arbor, MI to meet with them at home and over the phone. A study flyer is available here.

COVID-19 Coping and Resilience (CARE) Partners Study: Investigating experiences among couples living with dementia during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic to learn more about ways to help both partners live well together. Study is recruiting couples (married or living together) residing in Michigan in which one partner has received a diagnosis of dementia within about 5 years or has early symptoms of dementia. Contact the study team at C19carepartners@umich.edu or 734-232-4565. This study can be completed entirely over the phone. A study flyer is available here.

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 sshair@med.umich.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 Kelly Mattingly at mattinke@med.umich.edu or 734-223-9297 for more information. A study flyer is available here.

This project aims to inform guidelines for quality hospice care and best practices for end-of-life treatment for patients with dementia. The study team is currently recruiting individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia to participate in phone interviews to discuss potential future treatment decisions and goals for end-of-life care. Contact Molly Turnwald at turnwald@med.umich.edu or 734-624-7762. A study flyer is available here.

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.

Help us understand your dementia caregiving experience during the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic and shelter-in-place policies impact caregivers’ mental health and health services use. Study is recruiting primary caregivers for a friend or family member with a diagnosis of dementia. Contact Amanda Leggett and the COVID STYLE team at covidstyle@med.umich.edu or 734-623-9911. This study is virtual (online survey and Zoom/phone) and takes approximately 2 hours. A study flyer is available here.

This study is seeking caregivers to test the WeCareAdvisor, a web-based tool that aims to help users learn more about and manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia like wandering, repeated questioning, anger, depression or apathy. This study is looking for participants who have access to a computer or mobile device with internet and are also the primary in-home caregivers for a military Veteran who is living with dementia.  This study does not require any in-person visits it will be completely virtual.  Contact Barbara Stanislawski at bstanisl@med.umich.edu or 734-232-0323.  A study flyer is available here.