This research project at Vanderbilt University studies aging and Alzheimer's disease by collecting information from volunteers over time. Researchers use clinical data, brain imaging, and biosamples to better understand cognitive changes and develop new treatments.
Key Objective:The primary benefit is advancing Alzheimer's disease research and potentially leading to earlier detection and better treatments for cognitive decline.
Who to Consider:Adults interested in aging research and willing to participate in clinical evaluations, provide biosamples, and undergo neuroimaging should consider enrolling.
Trial Parameters
Eligibility Fast-Check
Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.
Brief Summary
The primary objective of the Vanderbilt Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (VADRC) is to provide local and national researchers with access to a well-characterized and diverse clinical cohort, including participant referrals, biosamples, clinical data, and neuroimaging data. The VADRC Clinical Core will create an infrastructure to support research efforts of both local and national investigator studies to develop early detection, prevention, and treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease. The Clinical Core intends to enroll up to 1000 participants, including individuals who are cognitively unimpaired, have mild cognitive impairment, or have Alzheimer's disease. This cohort of about 1000 participants will be called the Tennessee Alzheimer's Project. Participants will be seen annually for comprehensive clinical characterization and then referred to other studies to enhance Alzheimer's disease research activities.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 60 or older * Meet standard criteria for (a) cognitively unimpaired, (b) mild cognitive impairment, or (c) Alzheimer's disease * English speaking * Individuals who lack decisional capacity to provide informed consent at baseline will not be enrolled in the study Exclusion Criteria: * No available reliable study partner (reliable is defined as someone who interacts significantly with the participant and is available to participate in study visits in person or by phone) * History of major psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar), neurological illness (e.g., epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), or head injury with significant loss of consciousness. * Unable to undergo MRI (e.g., claustrophobia, ferrous metal in body)