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Observational Study

Developing Accessible Tests for Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Get in touch about this study
Study Investigator:Dr. Linda Mah
Site: Baycrest  | Address: 3560 Bathurst St, North York, ON M6A 2E1
Area of Focus: Alzheimer’s disease | Healthy volunteer | Mild cognitive impairment
Minimum Participant Age: 60+ | 65+ | 70+ | 75+ | 80+

Full study title: Use of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease to develop novel cognitive screening tests for AD diagnosis (BBBMAD-Cog)

What is the study about?

This study’s main goal is to develop new screening tests for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The tests will assess people’s memory of emotional information and heart rate variability (HRV), which are the small changes in time between each heartbeat, and how these are connected to changes in the brain (using blood-based biomarkers, which are indicators that can be used to measure a person’s health). Participation in the study will last 1-2 weeks total and will require blood samples and completion of memory tasks. The results of this study may lead to the development of new tests that physicians can use to help make a diagnosis of AD.

Eligibility

  • Age 60 years or older
  • Have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) OR Alzheimer’s disease (AD) OR be a healthy volunteer
  • Able to provide informed consent
  • Able to function independently in daily life
  • Stable medical/psychiatric illness
  • No known neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or brain tumors

Time Requirement

Total study duration is approximately 1-2 weeks, which includes 2 visits scheduled at Baycrest. Each visit will take approximately 2-3 hours.

Visit 1: Screening, Blood sampling, and Emotional Memory assessments

  • Tasks will take approximately 2 hours
  • Blood sample: Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample to measure proteins and other biomarkers related to the aging process, which may also be associated with cognitive impairment.
  • Questionnaires and Emotional Memory Assessments

Visit 2: Mood Measures, Memory Testing, and Heart rate assessment

  • Tasks will take approximately 2.5-3 hours.
  • Questionnaires and Cognitive Testing: Participants will be asked to complete mood and personality questionnaires in addition to computerized tests of their memory and other thinking abilities.
  • Heart Rate Monitoring and Breathing Task: Participants’ heart rate and activity will be recorded by attaching electrodes that measure physiological signals like heart rate, muscle activity, or skin conductance. While heart rate is being monitored, participants will complete a task consisting of a set of breathing exercises
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Disclaimer

The listing of a study on the TDRA’s Research Studies Portal is for informational purposes only. The safety, efficacy or scientific validity of the studies listed here have not been evaluated by The Alzheimer Society of Toronto (AST) or the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA). The TDRA is an academic coalition among the University of Toronto and Baycrest, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and the University Health Network. The information collected will be kept and guarded by TDRA. Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Before you participate in a study, you should make sure you understand the risks and potential benefits and discuss all options with your health care provider(s).