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����ʦapp Seeks Older Adults for Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Imaging Study

(Photo by Alex Dolce)

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Researchers at ����ʦapp’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine are recruiting participants for a new research study aimed at improving the understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The observational study will examine changes in brain levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a molecule essential for cellular energy, to determine whether it may serve as a biomarker for AD progression and therapeutic response.

The study will enroll a total of 20 participants: 10 individuals diagnosed with AD and 10 cognitively healthy volunteers. All participants must be between the ages of 65 and 80. Volunteers will be asked to dedicate two mornings to the study, with visits occurring approximately eight months apart.

“This research is focused on detecting changes in brain NAD levels in Alzheimer’s disease using advanced MRI,” said Corinne I. Lasmézas, DVM, Ph.D., principal investigator, professor in ����ʦapp’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences within the Schmidt College of Medicine, and director of the David and Lynn Nicholson Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the ����ʦapp Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. “By participating in this important study, you will help researchers accelerate the development of treatments to prevent, slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Previous research has shown that NAD levels are altered in neurodegenerative diseases. By comparing NAD levels in people with and without AD, ����ʦapp researchers aim to generate data that could support the development of novel therapies. NAD may ultimately be used both as a biomarker of disease progression and as an indicator of whether a potential treatment is effective during clinical trials.

To be eligible, participants also must be able to travel to ����ʦapp’s Clinical Research Unit, be verbal and ambulatory. For individuals with AD, diagnosis must be established by a physician and supported by a positive amyloid PET scan or an FDA-approved cerebrospinal fluid or blood test.

Individuals may not be eligible if they:

• Have advanced dementia requiring sedation for MRI
• Are receiving anti-amyloid intravenous treatments such as Leqembi® (lecanemab-irmb) or Kisunla™ (donanemab-azbt)
• Have an MRI-incompatible pacemaker or metallic implant
• Have a history of seizures
• Work night shifts
• Have cancer or were diagnosed with cancer within the past five years (excluding superficial squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin)
• Are cognitively healthy but score below 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Participants will attend morning visits at ����ʦapp’s Clinical Research Unit. During each visit, they will complete a brief cognitive assessment (MoCA), undergo a brain MRI using magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure NAD levels, and provide blood and urine samples. The same procedures will be repeated approximately eight months later.

Participants will receive a $25 gift card for each visit to help offset transportation costs, as well as a complimentary MRI following the first visit. Beyond compensation, participants will contribute to research that may advance future treatments for AD and improve understanding of brain health in aging.

The study will take place at the ����ʦapp Clinical Research Unit, located at 777 Glades Road, ME104, Building 1, on ����ʦapp’s Boca Raton campus.

Individuals interested in learning more or participating in the study can email CRUDOR@health.fau.edu. Additional details about the study are available .

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Tags: research | faculty and staff | medicine