Clinical Research Directory

Studies of Brain and Body Interaction

The goal of this study is to characterize biophysiolgoical signals as a comprehensive profile of the nervous systems in order to understand interactions between the brain and body, while an individual performs naturalistic behaviors (ex. walking, pointing) and while breathing at a slow controlled pace. The investigators aim to study these interactions among a variety of populations, from healthy individuals to those with disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder(s), including those who may also have an ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) diagnosis, Asperger's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease, and/or Fragile X syndrome

Cardiac Amyloid Deposits and Heart Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

This study seeks to explore the possible common pathogenesis of both cardiac amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease, which can both be associated with amyloid deposits. Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans with amyloid tracers - a conventional tool for non-invasively imaging amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease - the research will extend this imaging methodology to the heart. The study will conduct additional PET/MRI scans of the heart in patients undergoing amyloid tracer PET scans for Alzheimer's evaluations. Each participant will also undergo an echocardiogram and a clinical examination of dementia. This could potentially enhance diagnostic practices in both cardiac amyloidosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Reducing African Americans' Alzheimer's Disease Risk Through Exercise (RAATE)"

The RAATE proposal is designed to determine the effects of physical activity on risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease in older African American adults. The study will compare a physical activity program to an active control group. There are three main objectives of the protocol: 1) to determine if a physical activity intervention tailored to older African American adults is effective in modifying cognitive function associated with Alzheimer's Disease, 2) to determine if a physical activity intervention tailored to older African American adults is effective in modifying brain function and structure associated with Alzheimer's Disease, and 3) to determine if a physical activity promotion intervention tailored to African American adults is effective at enhancing physiological parameters. The primary endpoints for the study are episodic memory and executive functioning. The secondary outcomes include anthropometry, blood pressure, brain activation, cerebral blood flow, volume of whole brain and white matter hyperintensities, cardiorespiratory fitness, objectively measured physical activity, circulating hormones, and telomere length.

Multi-Center Study of Sensory Stimulation to Improve Brain Function

The Overture Study is a randomized, controlled, single-blind multi-center clinical trial using the GammaSense Stimulation system to study safety, tolerability, and efficacy in people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment.