APEX Study
The Alzheimer’s Plasma Extension (APEX) Study is a multicenter, observational study on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related brain changes being conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and University of Southern California (USC). An observational study is where researchers look at (or observe) changes over time without any study treatments. In this study, researchers will look at changes in blood tests, memory, and other factors that may predict who will accumulate brain amyloid over time, as well as factors that may help preserve memory and thinking in older individuals who do not develop elevated amyloid levels.
The APEX Study consists of one in-person visit every year for four years in which blood samples, memory tests and questionnaires will be collected. Participation in this study will help researchers identify changes in blood tests, memory, and brain health that may occur years before people develop elevated brain amyloid and cognitive impairment and inform future clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease.
Trial-Ready Cohort- Down Syndrome (TRC-DS)
The Trial-Ready Cohort- Down Syndrome (TRC-DS) aims to enroll 450 non-demented adults (ages 25-55) with Down syndrome (DS) into a trial ready cohort (TRC). Participants enrolled in the TRC-DS will undergo longitudinal cognitive and clinical assessment, genetic and biomarker testing, as well as imaging and biospecimen collection. Using these outcome measures, researchers will analyze the relationships between cognitive measures and biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to identify endpoints for AD clinical trials in DS that best reflect disease progression.
Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS)
The LEADS study – or the Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS) explores the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and how it compares to the more common late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Better understanding of this form of the disease may ultimately lead to more effective treatments. LEADS is a 2-year observational study designed to enroll 500 participants. Researchers are also recruiting cognitively normal volunteers for a 1-year comparison.
Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy
If you are 50 years of age or older, you can monitor your own cognitive health by participating in the Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy. The APT Webstudy is designed to identify people who may have an increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, using the latest technology to monitor their cognitive performance through regular online memory testing. Volunteers of the APT Webstudy participate at their convenience, anywhere they have access to the internet.
If you are interested in the AlzMatch Study, it is currently on a hiatus. If you would like to be considered for the AlzMatch Study in the future, please begin participation in the APT Webstudy. Future invitations to AlzMatch will go out to eligible APT Webstudy participants.
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a landmark study that began in 2004, is a public-private research partnership tasked with identifying biomarkers to detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study has gathered and analyzed thousands of brain scans, genetic profiles and biomarkers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and was designed to enable researchers to follow AD as it progresses in an individual, from various points in the disease process. The newest iteration of the study, called ADNI4, aims to recruit 750 new participants age 55-90 and bring over 750 rollover participants from ADNI3.