CU Alzheimer's and Cognition Center Observational Studies

The ImTab study is examining how a concussion sustained in late life relates to inflammation and brain health. Data gathered from this study will be used to better understand how concussion may or may not disrupt thinking, the immune system, and brain health in late life. This study is sponsored by the Department of Defense. 

For more information about the study, please contact the study coordinator: 

Email: imtab@cuanschutz.edu

Colorado Aging Brain Lab Website

With dementia prevalence increasing in an aging population, learning how to meet the needs of patients with dementia is imperative. This study is surveying Colorado primary care physicians to understand how dementia is diagnosed and managed by Colorado's primary care practices, in order to systematically develop and improve local, regional, and state-wide processes for dementia diagnosis and care. This study also hopes to assess Colorado physicians' perceptions of dementia, assess perceived barriers to optimal dementia are, and inquire about educational needs and best means of delivery. 

To learn more about this study, please contact the principal investigator, Dr. Peter Pressman.

The CSA study is working to develop diagnostic tools using conversational speech, with the hopes of eventually using recorded conversations between primary care doctors and their patients to help detect neurocognitive disease in its early stages. Using elements of conversational speech such as tone of voice and duration of speaking is a cheap, non-invasive way to gather information that can be used to direct medical interventions that will help slow or prevent the progression of neurological disease. 

For more information about this study, please contact the Principal Investigator:

Peter Pressman, MD

Email: Peter.Pressman@cuanschutz.edu

CSAND Lab Website

The LIIA study is a study on aging, memory and immune function. It is looking at various biomarkers in the blood and cerebral spinal fluid to determine how they influence the clinical features of aging. It is also investigating how immune dysfunction in the brain and body may be a contributing factor to the development of Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. This is a two year longitudinal study. 

For more information about the study, please contact the study coordinator:

Jennifer Krupa

Email: Jennifer.Krupa@cuanschutz.edu

Phone: (303)-724-0859

Colorado Aging Brain Lab Website

 

This research study plans to learn more about a performance-based test of thinking ability in people with Parkinson’s disease. This test will be compared with other standard tests to see how well it measures thinking performance and everyday functioning.

PI: Samantha Holden, MD

COMIRB#: 15-0170

The purpose of this research study is to detect timing differences in movement onset when subjects produce facial expressions either intentionally or spontaneously as a means to determine what brain area is responsible for initiating the facial expression. For more information about the study, please contact the Principal Investigator (PI). 

PI: Peter Pressman

COMIRB#: 17-0599

CSAND Lab Website

The Bio-AD study is focused on collecting a host of biomarkers and phenotypes from individuals who have either been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Down Syndrome, or Mild Cognitive Impairment, as well as healthy older adults. This study hopes that by looking at the various biomarkers in the blood, investigators can better understand how they influence the clinical feature of aging and Alzheimer’s disease. It is also a longitudinal study, where participants are asked to come in once a year for four years.

For more information about the study, please contact the study coordinator:

Email: bioad@cuanschutz.edu 

Colorado Aging Brain Lab Website

 

This research hopes to visualize the relationship between deep sleep and the immune system by using electroencephalogram (EEG), or recordings of electrical activity in the brain, to learn more about the neuroprotective aspects of sleep as it relates to Alzheimer’s disease and brain injuries, and further understand what components of sleep may be contributing to a person’s risk for cognitive decline. You can read more about the sleep research program here. 

To learn more about this study, please contact the study coordinator:

Lindsey Medenblik, BA

Email: Lindsey.Medenblik@cuanschutz.edu

Office number: 303-724-8989