MCI & Alzheimer's Research Study
Researchers at Boys Town National Research Hospital are conducting a study to learn more about brain structure and function in individuals diagnosed with either mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. Conducted in Omaha, NE.
Fast Facts
Diagnosed with MCI OR Alzheimer's
Ages 55+
Compensation Provided
Conducted in
Omaha, NE
Study Background
Researchers at Boys Town National Research Hospital are looking for individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s along with their caregivers to participate in a compensated clinical study.
This research study is to learn more about specific brain and neurophysiological mechanisms (related to the nervous system) associated with typical aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.
This study involves 4 in-person visits, each lasting approximately 3 hours. During these sessions, we will use a combination of mental testing, self-report questionnaires, blood-based biomarkers and brain imaging techniques to learn more about differences in brain structure, function and neurophysiology between healthy individuals and those diagnosed with MCI or Alzheimer’s.
Participants will receive a free amyloid PET/CT scan during their participation in the research study!
Study Background
Researchers at Boys Town National Research Hospital are looking for individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s and their caregivers for a compensated clinical study.
In this research study, we want to learn more about specific brain and neurophysiological mechanisms (related to the nervous system) associated with typical aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease.
This study involves 4 in-person visits, each lasting approximately 3 hours. During these sessions, we will use a combination of mental testing, self-report questionnaires, blood-based biomarkers and brain imaging techniques to learn more about differences in brain structure, function and neurophysiology between healthy individuals and those diagnosed with MCI or Alzheimer’s.
Participants will receive a free amyloid PET/CT scan during their participation in the research study!
Additional Information
In this study, researchers at Boys Town National Research Hospital want to learn more about specific brain and neurophysiological mechanisms (related to the nervous system) associated with typical aging, MCI and Alzheimer’s.
You may qualify for a study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 55+
- Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) OR Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
- No other major neurological disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s)
- No severe psychiatric disease (e.g., schizophrenia, PTSD)
- Able to undergo MRI scan (e.g., no metal in the body such as pacemakers, cochlear implants, insulin pumps)
- No history of significant head trauma
- If female, not pregnant
- Speak English
- Able to understand and hear someone in close proximity who is speaking loudly without the use of hearing aids
- If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, currently on a stable dose of medications (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine) for at least 4 weeks
This study consists of 4 in-person visits, each lasting approximately 3 hours each. All participants will attend the first three visits to the Institute for Human Neuroscience, and MCI/AD participants will attend the fourth visit to the Nebraska Medicine/University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Visit 1: Consent and Intake, screening, mental testing, questionnaires, receiving an activity/sleep monitoring device and sleep diary, blood draw
Visit 2: First of two MEG scans, mental testing
Visit 3: MEG scan, MRI scan
Visit 4 (MCI/AD participants only): PET scan with contrast at NM/UNMC
Participants will receive a free amyloid PET/CT scan during their participation in the research study. Amyloid PET/CT scans are currently the golden standard for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid PET/CT scans are expensive and are not often covered by health insurance.
As a participant, you can receive up to $275 for your time and effort.
As a caregiver, you can receive up to $50 for your time and effort.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.
