Visit the IADRC

Visits vary in length but are usually between two and three hours for in-person visits. Also, number of visits per year varies depending on the study components the subject elects to participate in—usually between one and four visits per year. Some visits may be conducted over the phone.

In addition to a physical exam, the neurological examination checks eye movements, vision, hearing, muscle strength, reflexes and sensation. Participants will be asked questions about family history, medical history, medications and social history. Participants will also be prompted with questions for an assessment of cognition and memory.

Sensory testing researches how changes in sensory function (vision, smell and hearing) are associated with brain changes in aging, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.

• Vision: comprehensive eye exam, contrast sensitivity testing, retinal amyloid imaging.
• Smell: scratch and sniff test, testing with a machine for smell identification and smell memory.
• Hearing: three hearing tests to examine comprehension, auditory working memory and speech perception (Utilizes Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is the standard hearing test).

Functional MRI imaging will allow researchers to visualize which parts of the brain become active while the participant is performing memory, language or other activities in the MRI scanner. The participant will lay flat on a special platform which is part of the MRI scanner.  The platform rolls into the machine which forms a dome around the participant to allow the machine to scan the participant’s brain. 

• The imager makes a loud banging noise while it is taking pictures. The participant will be given earplugs and, as necessary, headphones to dampen the noise so that they can be more comfortable during the procedure.
• A special “helmet-like” head holder is used to keep the head still during the scan.
• The participant wears a pulse oximeter on their finger and a belt around their chest to monitor respiratory rate.

• Radioactive tracer liquid will be administered through a vein via intravenous solution.
• How it works: the tracer contains glucose which is metabolized (used) by cells in the brain. By detecting radioactive glucose, the PET scan detects which areas of the brain are utilizing glucose and at what rates. 

The lumbar puncture visit is entirely outpatient and takes approximately one hour. The participant is asked to lay flat for 30 minutes after the procedure itself is done.

Testing takes approximately one to one-and-a-half hours and involves researchers asking questions to assess the participant’s memory and thinking.

• Either a regular blood draw or a fasting blood draw (meaning no liquids or solids other than water for six to eight hours before the blood draw) may be required depending upon the study. The participant will be informed if they need to fast for the blood draw.
• Tests may be done on the sample, such as for CBC, vitamin levels, metabolic levels (including glucose to test for diabetes), extraction of nucleic acids, white blood cells, plasma, serum and grow cell lines, to obtain information necessary for the study.

There is no cost for participating in center studies.

While there may not be a direct benefit to participating in a study, the information collected during a visit may be beneficial to improving society's understanding of the causes and changes associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease. Individual study participants can receive annual examination and neurocognitive testing, connection to dementia and Alzheimer's disease clinic, and have the opportunity to potentially participate in additional research projects or drug trials.