Thinking And Memory Research Study
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are conducting a study in adults aged 60 and older to better understand thinking, memory, and brain changes that occur with aging.
Fast Facts
Good General Physical And Cognitive Health
60+ Years Old
Compensation
Provided Up To $900
Conducted in
Irvine, CA
Study Background
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are conducting studies in adults aged 60 and older to understand thinking and memory, how it changes with age, and how early brain changes can be detected.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are conducting studies in adults aged 60 and older to understand thinking, memory, and how the brain changes with age. The study will examine subtle changes in the brain using MRI and PET imaging, along with cognitive testing, to learn more about factors that may contribute to cognitive decline.
The findings from this research may help improve early detection of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and guide strategies to maintain brain health and cognitive function as people age.
Study Background
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are conducting studies in adults aged 60 and older to understand thinking and memory, how it changes with age, and how early brain changes can be detected.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are conducting studies in adults aged 60 and older to understand thinking, memory, and how the brain changes with age. The study will examine subtle changes in the brain using MRI and PET imaging, along with cognitive testing, to learn more about factors that may contribute to cognitive decline.
The findings from this research may help improve early detection of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and guide strategies to maintain brain health and cognitive function as people age.
Additional Information
We are studying how thinking and memory change with age to better understand early brain changes. Using advanced imaging, cognitive testing, and blood measures, we aim to identify factors that support brain health and detect subtle signs of cognitive decline.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 60 years of age or older
- Fluent in English or Spanish
- Good general physical and cognitive health
- Willing and able to participate in all study procedures, including brain imaging and blood draws
- Subjective memory or other cognitive complaints are welcome
Exclusion Criteria:
- Significant neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, brain cyst, tumor, or aneurysm
- Significant psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or ADHD (depression and anxiety are not exclusionary)
- Diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment
- Alcohol or substance use disorder within the past 2 years
- MRI contraindications (e.g., pacemaker, aneurysm clip, metal fragments in body)
- PET contraindications (e.g., significant prior radiation exposure, pregnancy)
- Females who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
Participation in the first year of the study will take place over 5 study visits at UC Irvine, lasting up to 14 hours, over a period of 6 months. During your first three study visits, you will complete cognitive testing, computer tasks, a retinal imaging scan, a fitness test, blood draw and an MRI scan. You will also be asked to complete a packet of questionnaires at home in between your first and third study visits. The fourth visit will include a tau PET scan and the fifth visit will include an amyloid PET scan.
You will be asked to repeat the visits about two years after your enrollment for a follow-up which will include the same procedures done in Year 1.
Compensation for participation in the entire study is $900.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.