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Find more clinical trials

Glucose Metabolic, Amyloid, and Tau Brain Imaging in Down Syndrome and Dementia

Start: July 2009
End: February 2014
Enrollment: 108

What Is This Study About?

The purpose of this study is to develop small molecule radio-labeled probes of beta-amyloid to be used with positron emission tomography (PET) for early detection and treatment monitoring of Alzheimer disease. The study hypothesis is that PET imaging of small molecule probes, in the form of novel fluorescent dyes with radioactive labels, will demonstrate cerebral patterns in patients with Alzheimer's disease that are distinct from those of age-matched people who are cognitively intact.

Do I Qualify To Participate in This Study?

Minimum Age: 45 Years

Must have:

All Participants

  • Age 45 years or older
  • No significant cerebrovascular disease; modified Ischemic Score of less than 4
  • Adequate seeing and hearing ability to allow neuropsychological testing
  • Screening laboratory tests and ECG without significant abnormalities that might interfere with the study

Controls

  • MMSE score between 24 and 30 (unless less than 8 years of education)
  • The following medications are allowed if stable for more than 1 month: antidepressants (without anticholinergic effects) if not currently depressed and no history of major depression for 2 years; estrogen replacement therapy; thyroid replacement therapy as long as individual is euthyroid; antihypertensives that do not influence cognitive function

Participants with Down Syndrome

  • Family member or caregiver available; caregiver relationship 2 years or longer
  • Karyotype DX of trisomy or translocation DS Mosaic form of Down syndrome
  • English-speaking

Must NOT have:

All Participants

  • Evidence of neurological or other physical illness that could produce cognitive deterioration; volunteers with a history of transient ischemic attacks, carotid bruits, or lacunes will be excluded
  • Parkinson's disease
  • History of myocardial infarction within the previous year or unstable cardiac disease
  • Uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure mmHg >170 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure >100 mmHg)
  • History of significant liver disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, or cancer
  • Major psychiatric disorders; evidence of untreated depression or untreated anxiety
  • Current diagnosis or history of alcoholism or drug dependence
  • Contraindication for MRI scan (e.g., metal in body, claustrophobia)
  • Diagnosis of possible or probable AD or other dementia
  • Prohibited medications: Centrally active beta-blockers, narcotics, clonidine, anti-parkinsonian medications, benzodiazepines, systemic corticosteroids, medications with significant cholinergic or anticholinergic effects, anti-convulsants, or warfarin; medicines that could influence psychometric test results; any investigational drugs within the previous month or longer, depending on drug half-life

Participants with Down Syndrome

  • Mosaic form of Down syndrome
  • History of clinically significant neurological disorder or disease
  • Psychiatric diagnosis or treatment within 3 months prior to screening

If I Qualify, Who Do I Contact?

Contact study personnel listed either under the general study contact or the location nearest you.

Study Contact
Andrea Kaplan
Deborah Dorsey, RN, MN

Need Help?

Contact NIA’s Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center at 800-438-4380 or email ADEAR.

Where Is This Study Located?

California
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Recruiting
Andrea Kaplan

Who Sponsors This Study?

Lead: National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT00966017

alzheimers.gov

An official website of the U.S. government, managed by the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health