CURRENTLY ENROLLING STUDIES GUID
Brain
Mindful
Relevant
THE RESEARCH PROCESS
GAUGE
STEP 3
CONSENT/ SURVEYS
Complete questionnaire about medical history.
STUDY MATCH
STEP 4
STEP 5
We will help to identify the best study match based on personal interest and medical history.
PASS TO STUDY TEAM
The study team will reach out for additional testing to determine eligibility for study enrollment.
PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH
CONNECT WITH US TO BECOME A RESEARCH HERO RESEARCH HERO
Submit the research interest form by scanning the code below or by calling our recruitment team at 913.588.0555 option 1
FAQ
Can I participate in more than one study? Depending on the type of study, you may be able to participate in multiple studies at once. Our recruitment team will help you navigate the research process. You can always enroll in another study once you have completed your current study.
Do I have to pay anything out of pocket to participate?
No. In fact, some studies offer reimbursement for mileage and overnight stays.
Do I need insurance to participate?
No, you do not need insurance to participate in research.
Will my enrollment and study data show up on my medical records?
We value your privacy, and your study data will not be included in your medical records without your consent. However, if you have any concerns, our team is happy to talk through them with you. Study participation is always optional.
If I live out of state, can I participate in research?
Yes, depending on the requirements of each study and your willingness to commute for each study visit. Some studies are fully remote, while others may require several in-person visits. Our team will work with you to determine which study is the best fit for you.
What if I want my loved one to take part in a study and they do not want to participate?
All parties involved in research must be willing and able to consent. For the best experience, participants should be keen on participating and fully engaged with the research process. Caregivers cannot consent on their loved one’s behalf, even if they have guardianship or power of attorney.
Who is a study partner and what do they do?
A study partner is someone who commits to attending study visits and answering questions about the participant. This should be someone who knows the participant well and interacts with them regularly, such as a significant other, family member, or close friend. Some studies may have additional requirements for study partners.
Can I participate without a study partner? Many studies require a study partner, but some do not. Our team will provide additional details about study partner requirements.
If all of my medical records are already with the University of Kansas Health System, why do I need to sign a record release? We still need your permission to access your medical records at the University of Kansas Health System. The process helps to keep your records secure and safe. You can always restrict access for us to view your records.
If I am part of a study that includes medical or cognitive testing, will I receive my test results?
Each study is different. Some allow you to access individual results, while others do not. The recruitment team will be able to answer any study-specific questions you may have.
What if none of the KU ADRC studies are a good fit for me?
If you are not eligible or interested in any of our currently available studies, don’t be discouraged - you are still a part of MyAlliance for Brain Health, where you can stay up to date on future research opportunities. We are continually adding new research studies to consider. We also offer our LEAP! (Lifestyle Empowerment for Alzheimer’s Prevention) program, support groups, and educational events, where you can learn more about brain health, caregiving, and living with cognitive change.
If I am a participant in a study outside of the KU ADRC, can I still participate?
Unfortunately, you cannot participate in an outside research study and a KU ADRC research study at the same time. Once you complete the outside research study we can help find a KU ADRC research opportunity for you.
I’ve already had a tests, like cognitive testing required as part of a study. Why do I need to have it again?
Research testing often has different requirements than medical testing. Additionally, prior research testing cannot be shared between research studies for privacy and security reasons.
I’ve had an MRI before. Why am I not eligible to have a research MRI?
Our research scanners have different restrictions than machines used for MRIs in hospitals or clinics. For instance, some implants are acceptable for medical MRIs but are not safe for research MRIs.
DISCOVERY & INNOVATION STUDIES
Join the Clinical Cohort Study
A National Institute of Health (NIH) grant-funded study to develop and maintain a well-characterized group of individuals to support further research on memory and aging.
• Type of Study: Observational
• Who can participate?: Individuals with memory loss of any age
• Procedures: Clinical memory assessment, pen and paper test, blood draw
• Duration: Up to 3 visits annually
• Compensation: None
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
ADNI4 IS THE NEXT FRONTIER
Join the ADNI4 Study
This study is designed to look at the relationship between clinical, cognitive, imaging, genetic, and biomarker tests to learn more about brain health and the full spectrum of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from its earliest stages.
• Type of Study: Observational
• Who can participate?: Individuals with normal cognition with Mild Cognitive Impairment or Mild Alzheimer’s disease ages 55-90
• Procedures: Participants will undergo questionnaires, cognitive testing, MRI scans, PET scans, fasting blood draws, and optional lumbar punctures
• Duration: Up to five years, with annual visits not to exceed six visits per yearly study visit
• Compensation: Yes Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
DISCOVERY & INNOVATION STUDIES
Join the AROMA+ML Study
A longitudinal observation study investigating the links between noninvasive olfactory testing, ADRD biomarkers, and cognitive performance.
• Type of Study: Observational (no treatment)
• Who can participate?: Adults aged 50-80, normal cognition, MCI, and AD
• Procedures: Memory assessment, physical assessment, olfactory assessment, blood draw, MRI (optional)
• Duration: 3 years and 4 visits
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Join the MENO-COG Study
Little is known about how common symptoms of menopause are inter-related This study will examine the cognitive changes reported by women during their menopausal transition and how they are affected by sleep, physical activity, hot flashes, and night sweats.
• Type of Study: Observational
• Who can participate?: Women experiencing the transition into menopause, between the ages of 40 and 60. Must have one or more of the following:
* BMI >= 30 or Waist circumference >35 inches
* High Blood Sugar | High cholesterol or triglycerides | History of smoking
• Procedures: Wear a wrist monitor at home for seven (7) days and completing daily surveys about sleep, hot flashes, and monitor wear time
• Duration: Seven (7) days, plus two visits before and after (no more than 14 days)
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Exercise & Lifestyle Intervention Trials
Join the FIGHT-AD Study
This research aims to explore if sitting in a hot tub can be a substitute for exercise in improving metabolic health, particularly in enhancing the body’s glucose processing. Good metabolic health is linked to brain health as we age. While exercise boosts energy use in cells (metabolism), not everyone can exercise effectively. Hence, we are exploring alternative approaches.
• Type of Study: Exercise and Lifestyle intervention
• Who can participate?: Individuals 65 and older without cognitive impairment, including those with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or high blood pressure
• Procedures: Telephone CDR and Cognitive testing, OGTT, CGM, Pet Scan and MRI
• Duration: 12-13 total weeks; 10 weeks of Intervention
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Join the Av Cog Study
12-week dietary intervention trial that includes the consumption of avocados. Participants will have a total of four in-person study visits at the University of Kansas Medical Center campus. These visits will include various assessments, including MRI blood sampling, questionnaires and memory and thinking tests.
• Type of Study: Exercise and Lifestyle intervention
• Who can participate?: Adults aged 65-85 who eat less than 2 avocados per month
• Procedures: Veggie Meter, MRI, blood sampling, questionnaires and memory and thinking tests.
• Duration: 1-2 weeks for screening and 12 weeks of participation
• Compensation: Yes
Exercise & Lifestyle Intervention Trials
This 8-week pilot study focuses on lifestyle support for care partners and persons with dementia. More specifically, in home and virtual support will be shared about nutrition, mild exercise, sleep, social connection, and stress management.
• Type of Study: Exercise and Lifestyle intervention
• Who can participate?: Both care partner and person diagnosed with dementia
• Procedures: Two weekly one-hour virtual sessions, and one weekly 30-minute consultation with a registered dietitian
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Caregiver Studies
Join the CARE Study
The CARE study is designed to provide those new to the role of caregiving to people with dementia an opportunity to share their newfound experiences and how becoming a caregiver has impacted their daily life.
• Type of Study: Caregiver Support
• Who can participate?: People 18 years or older, who have become a caregiver to a person with dementia within the last 15-24 months. Both the person with dementia and the caregiver must reside in the same household.
• Procedures: A virtual interview
• Duration: One hour of 1:1 interview, 20 minutes for completing three surveys
• Compensation: Yes Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Join the CuidaTEXT Study
The CuidaTEXT study is a trial that is designed to evaluate whether a text messaging caregiver education and support program is effective in reducing symptoms of depression and distress in Latino caregivers of individuals with dementia.
• Type of Study: Caregiver Support
• Who can participate?: People 18 years or older who identify as Latino and who provide regular care for a person with dementia.
• Procedures: Phone assessments will be completed at screening, baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 7 months. All visits will be via phone.
• Duration: Seven months
• Compensation: Yes
Down Syndrome Studies
Join Down Syndrome Cohort
This study collects a broad range of detailed information from each participant to support further research on individuals with Down Syndrome related to aging, cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Type of Study: Long-term observational
• Who can participate?: Adults with Down Syndrome who are 18 years old or older who have a study partner who is able to attend study visits with the participant
• Procedures: Memory assessment, physical assessment, olfactory assessment, blood draw, MRI (optional)
• Duration: Three visits every 16 months
• Compensation: No
Join the ABATE Study
Many people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease as they age. The ABATE study is a clinical trial testing an investigational vaccine to see if it slows disease progression in individuals with Down syndrome.
• Type of Study: Investigational medicine (chance of placebo)
• Who can participate?: Individuals of ages 35-50 and diagnosed with Down Syndrome
• Procedures: Questionnaires, cognitive testing, ECG, labs, MRI, PET Scans, optional lumbar puncture
• Duration: Attend 12 study visits over approximately 8 months
• Compensation: Yes
Join the ABC-DS Study
Active involvement in this observational study empowers individuals with Down syndrome to play a pivotal role in uncovering who is more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Findings from this study aim to drive progress in developing treatments and potentially slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Type of Study: Observational
• Who can participate?: Adults with Down syndrome who are 25 years or older
• Procedures: Procedures may include blood draws, MRI and PET scans, questionnaires, and cognitive assessments
• Duration: Visits every 16 months for a total of four visits over approximately five years.
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form Learn More
Join the BOLD Study
Adults with Down syndrome will either follow a weight loss program or receive general health information. The 12-month study includes monthly virtual meetings and up to 5 visits to KU Medical Center, with no cost for participation and compensation provided.
• Type of Study: Exercise and Lifestyle intervention
• Who can participate?: Adults with Down syndrome aged 1864 who meet eligibility criteria
• Procedures: Blood draw, cognitive testing, anthropometric measures, MRI, dietary intake assessment
• Duration: Visits every 16 months for a total of four visits over approximately five years.
• Compensation: Yes
Please follow the instructions on page 07 to submit your interest form
All study information in this guide has been IRB approved. This guide will update as studies end and start up.
THANK YOU
The success of finding new treatments depends on having enough volunteers like you to participate. To learn how you or a loved one can take part in any of these studies, please visit our website at kubrainhealth.org or call our main line at 913-588-0555 option 1 for more information.
