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New York University School of Medicine
Silberstein Institute For Aging and Dementia • Current Studies |
Treatment Studies
Multi-Center Trial to Evaluate Home-Based Assessment
Methods for Alzheimer Disease (AD) Prevention Trials
in People Over 75 Years of Age
This study is examining the feasibility and accuracy of athome
methods of evaluation. Participants include men and
women age 75 and over, who do not have AD. Participants
are randomized into one of three groups. The first group
is evaluated using paper and pencil questionnaires returned
by mail, plus cognitive testing over the phone with study
staff. The second group is evaluated using an automated
telephone method and the third group uses a special
computer kiosk. Such at-home evaluations eventually
may be applied to future clinical trials, making them
more available and convenient for patients and caregivers.
It will also be a way to reduce the cost and amount of
staff time required to conduct trials, particularly large
prevention studies. Participants initially receive a free brief
medical and memory evaluation and then do the in-home
evaluations periodically over a 4-year period. Because the
study can involve the kiosk or telephone installation and
initial training in the home, we are currently recruiting
participants who live in the vicinity of the NYU Medical
Center. For more information, please call Erica Maya or Jessica Lerer
at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
New Clinical Trial of Anti-Amyloid Antibody Treatment
We will begin enrollment for a new clinical trial in late
summer 2008 that involves an “immunotherapy” treatment
approach. This phase III study will test the safety and
effectiveness of an experimental antibody treatment that
may remove or reduce beta-amyloid, which is one of the
important toxic proteins that contribute to the development
of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is hoped that this new
treatment may slow the further progression of the disease.
This study will enroll patients with mild-to-moderate
AD who will receive either the experimental drug or
placebo for up to 18 months. Study participation involves
administration of study drug as an intravenous infusion,
periodic visits to the study center, as well as repeated MRI
scans. To receive more information about this study, please call Erica
Maya or Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
New Clinical Trial of Gamma-Secretase Inhibition for
Slowing Progression of
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
This upcoming study is expected to begin enrollment in
late summer of 2008. This study will test the effectiveness
of a novel compound, a gamma secretase inhibitor (Lilly
LY450139) proposed to reduce the production of betaamyloid,
thereby possibly slowing the rate of disease
progression. Eligible participants with mild-to-moderate
AD will receive either experimental drug or placebo for
23 months. All participants in the study, whether on active
drug or placebo, will eventually receive the experimental
drug for the latter half of the trial. For more information, please
call Erica Maya or
Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or 212-263-5708.
New Clinical Trial of RAGE Inhibition for Slowing
Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
This study is currently enrolling. This study will test the
effectiveness of a novel compound called a RAGE inhibitor
(Pfizer TTP-488) which may inhibit the production of
beta-amyloid, thereby possibly slowing the rate of disease
progression. Eligible participants with mild-to-moderate
AD will receive either experimental drug or placebo for
18 months. Visits occur approximately every three months
after the first administration of the study drug. Please do
not hesitate to call regarding questions of eligibility. For more
information, please call Erica Maya or Jessica Lerer at 212-263-5845 or
212-263-5708.
An Interactive Museum Tour for People with
Alzheimer’s Disease and their Family Members
A new study is evaluating the effectiveness of participating
in a guided tour of a New York City museum specifically
designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their
family members and caregivers. It is hoped that the
museum experience will improve their well-being and
relationships with each other and help participants
continue to partake in other activities together. If you would
like to find out how to participate, please contact Olanta Barton
at
212-263-5710 or olanta.barton@med.nyu.edu.
New Group Interventions for People with Mild Cognitive
Impairment (MCI)
This study evaluates the effects of two group interventions
on the functioning of people with MCI. Adults 65 to
80 years old diagnosed with MCI will have a 50/50
chance of being assigned to either a life review group
or a cognitive skills group. Both groups will meet for
90 minutes once a week for 10 weeks. It is hoped that
participation will give you more effective ways to manage
memory problems and provide an opportunity for social
interaction with peers. This study is now in progress. If
there is enough interest, future sessions will be offered.
This study is a collaboration of the NYU-ADC and the
NYU Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. For more
information, please contact Dr. Sharon E. McKenzie at 212-263-2078
or
Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
EARLY AD DIAGNOSIS
Longitudinal Study of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive
Impairment (MCI) and
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Participants receive a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation
and are re-evaluated every year. The goal is to improve
early diagnosis and better understand the clinical course
and causes of age-related cognitive decline and AD. For more
information, please contact Emma Shulman, CSW at 212-263-5756 or
Thet Oo, M.D.
at 212-263-8088 or thet.oo@med.nyu.edu.
The Multicultural Program
Our Multicultural Aging and Memory Evaluation Program
offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation for
elderly individuals who present with memory complaints
or symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The
mission of this program is to provide diagnostic service
to the ethnic minority and underserved populations, to
promote their access to early utilization of these services,
and provide culturally and language-appropriate service. For
more information, please contact Dorothy Patterson at 212-263-3201.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Memory Study
This NIH-funded program uses advanced brain imaging
techniques to measure the metabolic function of the brain
so as to predict future cognitive impairment. This longitudinal
imaging study of elderly individuals uses a new amyloid
imaging scan and a proven glucose metabolism scan to better
understand the differences between successful aging and
the progression to memory impairment and to Alzheimer’s
disease. We are developing and testing a profile of measures
to identify those at increased risk for future memory impairment.
Study recruitment includes individuals between
40-90 years with and without memory problems. For more
information, please call Schantel Williams at 212-263-7563.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Study
This study seeks to develop a specific early Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) diagnosis based on analysis of cerebrospinal fluid.
This NIH supported project evaluates whether the amount and type of amyloid and tau proteins (proteins associated
with AD) and isoprostanes (markers of oxidative stress) that
are found in the CSF are related to memory changes and
the brain shrinkage seen in MRI studies. These markers
may be useful to screen early AD and to potentially follow
progression and track response to treatment. Participants
include normal individuals over 40 years of age, individuals
with memory problems, mild cognitive impairment, and
AD. For more information, please call Dr. Kenneth Rich at 212-263-7563.
HELPING CAREGIVERS
Support for Couples Dealing with a Recent Diagnosis of
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
A unique free counseling study has been designed
especially for people recently diagnosed with early AD
and their spouses and is supported by a grant from the
Alzheimer’s Association. During 6 weekly meetings with a
counselor, the couple will discuss problems resulting from
the illness and workable responses to them. Couples will
be encouraged to share thoughts and feelings, and find ways
to help and support each other. For more information, please
call Cynthia Epstein, ACSW at 212-263-1056 or Ursula Auclair, LCSW
at 212-263-2245.
Counseling and Support for People Caring for a Parent
with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
The purpose of this NIH-funded study is to determine
the effectiveness of a comprehensive counseling and support
intervention for people who care for parents with
AD. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two
interventions. All participants have access to resource information
and support from experts as needed. Those in
the enhanced group will meet with a counselor individually
and with other family members. Based on an earlier
research program, we expect that all participants will experience
significant benefits to their well-being, including
reduced stress and depression and postponed nursing home
placement of their parents. If you are the ‘primary’ caregiver of the
person with a diagnosis of dementia (i.e., the first person called if the
patient is in need of help) and a daughter, son, daughter-in-law, or son-inlaw
of the person with AD and would like more information, please contact Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710 or olanta.barton@med.nyu.edu.
For Caregivers of Parents in the Middle Stage of
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
This study is investigating an education and support
intervention designed to reduce the stress, anxiety, and
depression frequently experienced by people whose
parents are in the moderate stage of AD. Everyone who
enrolls receives self-teaching materials especially written
for this project and the opportunity to consult a counselor
for resource information as needed. Half the participants,
chosen at random, will also receive 2 workshops and an
individual counseling session. For more information, please contact
Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710 or olanta.barton@med.nyu.edu.
Memantine (Namenda™) and Individualized Alzheimer’s
Care
Are you caring for someone who is in the middle or late
stage of Alzheimer’s? Would you like to see them function
and feel better? Would you like to solve the empty day
syndrome? The goal of this study is to determine the
added value of an individualized patient management
program in AD patients receiving Memantine. Subjects
with moderate-to-severe AD are eligible. All patients
receive Memantine and follow-up evaluations at no
charge. In addition, patients are randomly assigned to one
of two groups. One group receives compensation and
the other receives an individualized program consisting
of caregiver training and support as well as home visits to
get the patient exercising, doing enjoyable activities and
cognitive stimulation. The study duration is one year. For
more information, please contact Dr. Sunnie Kenowsky at 212-263-7164
or sunnie.kenowsky@med.nyu.edu.
OTHER PROGRAMS
Brain Donation Program
The NYU ADRC team is very grateful to donors and their
families for participation in our Brain Donation Program.
Brain autopsy provides a definitive diagnosis for families
while contributing to important research on the causes and
treatment of brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Volunteers
with and without memory impairment are eligible
for participation in this program. For more information, please
call 212-263-5108.
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