Join a Study
Now is the time to join research. Research participation is a generous gift – a gift that can be shared with future generations as we pave the way to new discoveries in treatment and prevention. Research participation contributes to the discovery of new ways to diagnose, treat and support people with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.
Image above: Dr. Benjamin Hampstead with a research participant.
We are currently seeking research volunteers experiencing early signs of memory changes as well as healthy older adults. In many of our studies, we have a particular focus on recruiting underrepresented groups into this dementia research. We understand that participating in research is not always an easy decision. Individuals and their families should carefully consider all of the possible benefits and risks before agreeing to participate.
If you are interested in participating in research, please complete a Research Volunteer Form to get started. Please contact Kate Hanson at 734-936-8332 with any questions or to fill a Research Volunteer Form out over the phone. If you complete a Research Volunteer Form independently, you can email to Kate Hanson at katsch@med.umich.edu or mail to 2101 Commonwealth Blvd, Ste D, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. We thank you for considering participating in research!
Currently Enrolling Studies
University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP): The University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP) is the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s main observational, longitudinal study. The study investigates changes related to memory and thinking over time so that researchers can learn more about normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Participants in UM-MAP can be seen at both our Ann Arbor and Detroit locations. There is modest compensation for participation. All participants must have a family member or close friend as their study partner to accompany them to visits. Contact Holly Bunker at hlbunker@med.umich.edu or 734-615-5319 to get started.
Behavioral or Lifestyle Intervention Studies
Investigating a program that engages older adults who may be experiencing symptoms of mild cognitive impairment as volunteers helping English language learners improve their English speaking skills through structured conversations using videoconferencing. 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.
Medication Studies
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.
Memory Training Studies
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 Katie Edwards at kathered@med.umich.edu or 734-936-7360. A study flyer is available here.
Neuroimaging and Biomarker Studies
Determining the relationships among clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic, and biomarker characteristics of the entire spectrum of AD as it progresses from a preclinical stage to very mild symptoms to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. Study is looking for adults age 55-90 with normal cognition, MCI, or mild AD. Contact Jaimie Ziolkowski at jziolkow@med.umich.edu or 734-647-7760. 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 Ashley Pogue at poguea@med.umich.edu or 734-998-8400. A study flyer is available here. The purpose of this study is to determine if imaging of the eye can be used to provide investigators new information about diagnosing AD and FTD as well as monitoring the progression of these diseases. This study is recruiting adults age 45 – 80 who are cognitively normal or have been diagnosed with either AD or FTD. This study will take place at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center and University Hospital in Ann Arbor. Contact Dr. Omar Moinuddin, MD at omoinudd@med.umich.edu or 734-232-8404. A study flyer is available here. Longitudinal study investigating functional and structural brain changes in healthy older adults with and without cognitive complaints. Study is looking for adults age 60 or older with worrisome memory complaints or a diagnosis of MCI. Contact the Wayne State University Connect Lab at connectlab@wayne.edu or 313-664-2670. This study team is recruiting for visits at Wayne State University in Detroit. A study flyer is available here.
Observational Studies
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 Yonatan Kahsay at ykahsay@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.
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.
Investigating potential benefits of social engagement in healthy older adults, using regular phone or video chat conversations to improve health and well-being. Study is looking for generally healthy adults over the age of 75 in the Detroit metropolitan area who are socially isolated or would like to have more opportunities to talk with others. Contact the study team at I-CONECT_UM@ohsu.edu or 734-647-2676. This study involves phone and video chat visits in the home. A study flyer is available here.
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.
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/or 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. Study is conducted completely over the telephone. Contact Vanessa Rorai at vrorai@wayne.edu or 313-664-2604. 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.
Caregiver Studies
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.
Investigating experiences among couples living with multiple chronic health conditions to learn more about ways to help both partners live well together. Study is now recruiting a subgroup of couples in which one partner has received a diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and has early symptoms of dementia, both partners have two or more chronic conditions, and at least one partner is aged 50 or older. Contact the study team at sharpstudy@umich.edu or 734-232-4565. This study can be completed entirely over the phone. A study flyer can be found here.