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New York University School of Medicine
Silberstein Institute For Aging and Dementia • Current Studies
Treatment Studies
Memantine (Namenda) and Patient-Centered, Comprehensive,
Individualized Management of AD:
The goal of this study is to change the standard of care for AD
patients by determining the added value of an individualized
care management program for AD patients receiving memantine.
Subjects with moderate to severe AD are eligible. All
patients will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients
in both groups will receive memantine and follow-up evaluations.
Additionally one group will receive an individualized
management program consisting of home visits to get the patient
exercising, doing enjoyable activities and cognitive stimulation,
educational sessions for caregivers on coping with difficult situations
and a caregiver support group to help with questions and emotional concerns. The duration of the study is six months.
The contact person is Robyn Waters at 212-263-8088.
Mild Cognitive Impairment Study:
If you or someone you know are aged 45 to 90 and have
mild memory loss, NYU School of Medicine is taking part
in a national clinical research study to evaluate the safety and
effectiveness of an oral, investigational medication for mild
cognitive impairment. Qualified participants will receive
complete study-related physical exams, lab work, electrocardiograms
and cognitive evaluations at no charge while taking
part in this study. For information and to find out if you or
someone you know may be qualified, please call Robert L.
Smith at 212-263-5708.
Huperzine A - AD Study:
Patients age 55 and older with AD are needed for a new study
to determine the effectiveness of Huperzine A to treat the
symptoms of AD. Huperzine A is a natural product extracted
from a Chinese herb. There is growing evidence that Huperzine
A not only compares favorably in symptomatic efficacy
to cholinesterase inhibitors in current use, but additionally has
both antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, effects which
may be relevant in the treatment of AD. For information and
to find out if you or someone you know may be qualified,
please call Robert L. Smith at 212-263-5708.
Biomarkers with Memantine Treatment:
This investigator-initiated study is designed to examine the
effects of memantine (drug approved for the treatment of
moderate to severe AD) on CSF biomarkers of AD (amyloid
beta, tau proteins and isoprostanes) and on the levels of
brain metabolites as measured by proton magnetic resonance
spectroscopy (H1- MRS). Study recruitment includes normal
individuals with subjective memory complaints, patients
with mild cognitive impairment, and those with mild AD.
Eligible subjects must be between 60 and 80 years of age. For
information about participating in this project, please contact
Dr. Lidia Sobanska, Center for Brain Health Coordination
at
212-263-1091.
Memantine and Patient-Centered, Comprehensive,
Individualized Management of AD:
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 will receive memantine treatment at
no charge. In addition, patients will be randomly assigned to
one of two groups: One group will receive usual care and
the other will receive a unique management program comprised
of educational sessions, home visits, physical exercise
and psychological approaches to patient management. The
duration of the study is six months. The contact person is Robyn Waters at 212-263-8088.
Early AD Diagnosis
Trial of New Diagnostic Procedure for AD:
This is a trial of a new diagnostic procedure for AD based on
examination of the eye, which is an extension of the brain.
We are looking for participants that have been diagnosed
with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and
normal individuals over the age of 60 to complete an eye
examination. Participants will receive a neurological screening,
an ophthalmological evaluation with a glaucoma screening
and a free eyeglass prescription. Please contact Research
Coordinator, Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
Longitudinal Neuroimaging Study in AD:
We are currently taking part in the national Alzheimer’s
Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a study sponsored
by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This multicenter
study is being undertaken to find the most effective methods
for tracking physical changes in the brain and in body fluids
during the course of AD and to establish those methods as
clinical standards. We will enroll patients diagnosed with AD
(within the last year), patients diagnosed with mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), and people with no memory complaints
(other than the normal memory problems associated with
age). Participants must be aged 55-90 and in general good
health. All participants will receive standard neuropsychological
testing, blood and urine tests and an MRI scan. Some
participants will receive a PET scan and analysis of their
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). All subjects will be repeatedly
assessed every 6 months for 2 to 3 years. For further information,
please contact Dr. Kenneth Rich or Shantel Williams
at 212-263-7563.
Longitudinal Study of Normal Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment
(MCI) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD):
Participants receive a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation
and will be evaluated every two years. The goal of this project
is to improve the early diagnosis and to better understand the
clinical course and causes of age-related cognitive decline
and AD. For more information, please call Emma Shulman
at 212-263-5756.
Longitudinal Study of Human Gait (walking ability):
The purpose of this federally funded grant project is to determine
whether quantitative measures of human gait pattern can
improve the early detection (and/or allow accurate prediction
of possible subsequent decline) to Alzheimer’s disease, particularly
among elderly differing widely in levels of education.
This project will specifically test gait function, using both
computerized and non-computerized assessment techniques.
The gait assessments require about 15 – 20 minutes to complete.
The study is open to participants with normal cognitive
function, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s
disease, enrolled at the NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
Please contact Alvin Wagner at 212-263-2619.
Position Emission Tomography (PET) & Memory Study:
These NIH funded programs are designed to use advanced
brain imaging techniques to measure the anatomy and metabolic
function of the brain so as to predict future cognitive
impairment. The on-going two-year longitudinal imaging
studies of healthy elderly individuals has helped us 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 normal individuals between 20-90 years
and individuals with memory problems. For information about
participating in these projects, please contact Shantel Williams,
Center for Brain Health Coordination at 212-263-7563.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF):
This study is designed to develop a specific early AD diagnosis
based on analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. This NIH supported
project will evaluate whether the amount and type of amyloid
beta and tau proteins (proteins associated with AD) and
isoprostanes (product of lipid peroxidation) that are found in
the cerebrospinal fluid are related to memory changes and the
brain shrinkage determined from MRI studies. The objective
of this program is to develop a screening test for early
AD. Study recruitment includes normal individuals between
40 and 90 years of age, individuals with memory problems,
mild cognitive impairment, and AD. For information about
participating in this project, please contact Dr. Kenneth Rich,
Center for Brain Health Coordination at 212-263-7563.
Helping Caregivers
Support for Couples Dealing With a Recent Diagnosis of AD:
A unique free counseling study has been designed especially
for couples and is supported by a grant from the Alzheimer’s
Association. During 6 weekly meetings, together with a
counselor, couples 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 further information, please
call Cynthia Epstein, ACSW at 212-263-1056 or Ursula
Auclair, LCSW at 212-263-2245.
Compare the Effects of the NYU Intervention on Rural and
Urban Caregivers:
This study for adult-children of a parent with AD will be conducted simultaneously in New York City and rural Minnesota.
All participants will 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. For further information, please call the
study coordinator, Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
For Caregivers of Parents in the Middle Stage of AD:
The study investigates 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. The goal of this study is to help caregivers provide a
more stimulating environment for their parents and have a
positive experience interacting with them and providing care.
Everyone who enrolls will receive self-teaching materials
especially written for this project. For further information,
please call Olanta Barton at 212-263-5710.
Are you caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s Disease?
You may be eligible to participate in an evaluation of a counseling
and support intervention. Benefits include information
about AD and available resources, support and counseling
for caregivers, services in Spanish and English, and participation
at no cost to you. If you would like more information,
please contact Dr. Caroline Gelman at 212-992-9731 or csr6@nyu.edu.
Brain Donation Program:
Participants at the Alzheimer’s Disease Center are eligible to
participate in a free autopsy program that provides families with
a definitive diagnosis and contributes to important research on
the causes and treatment of brain aging and AD. For further
information, please contact Tricia Spoto at 212-263-5108.
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