Active Projects

Stimulation to Improve Memory (STIM)

HUM00146180

Overview

Stimulation to Improve Memory (STIM) assesses the effects of HD-tDCS on memory and thinking abilities in those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT), with the aim of determining how much stimulation is necessary to enhance memory and thinking abilities, and which individuals would benefit most from this treatment. The study includes a minimum of 9 visits at the University of Michigan involving cognitive testing, HD-tDCS, functional magnetic resonance imagining (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate 

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Stephen Schlaefflin, B.S.

Telephone: (734) 936-7360

Email: schlst@med.umich.edu

To see the visit schedule click here

You can read more about the STIM study on the U.S. Clinical Trials website

STIM+: PET Biomarker Education & Disclosure

HUM00188109

Overview

When dementia is caused by AD, we refer to it as dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT). The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and DAT is advancing age, but DAT is not a normal part of aging. Studies have shown that changes in the brain happen before full symptoms of DAT develop. These changes include a buildup of two proteins within the brain, called amyloid and tau. STIM+: PET Biomarker Education & Disclosure (STIM+) aims to determine whether patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia-Alzheimer's type (DAT) are able to demonstrate decisional capacity to engage in PET amyloid and tau disclosure after receiving education and assess how patients and care partners react to PET amyloid and tau biomarker disclosure. The study includes a minimum of one visit at the University of Michigan or via Zoom involving education about PET scans, AD, DAT, and learning the risks and benefits of one’s personal PET results. In an effort to reduce in-person contact during the COVID-19 pandemic, some research-related activities may take place at your home (telephone or video). 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate 

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Haley Kohl, B.S.

Telephone: (734) 764-7402

Email: hakohl@med.umich.edu

You can read more about the STIM+ study on the U.S. Clinical Trials website

Brain Behavior Characterization

HUM00200763

Overview

Brain Behavior Characterization (BBC) addresses the RP-CNBI’s emphasis on improving early detection and characterization associated with brain injury / disease by using multiple methods to characterize participants with the fundamental goal of understanding the reason(s) for their cognitive impairment. This study integrates neuropsychological testing and both structural & functional neuroimaging to help understand the potential reason(s) for cognitive decline across the Alzheimer’s Disease / Alzheimer’s Disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD) spectrum. This multi-method characterization will yield important new information about the clinical manifestations of AD/ADRD and is designed to improve diagnostic efforts in those with AD/ADRD. 

This study includes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and neuropsychological testing. It focuses on those across the AD/ADRD spectrum, which ranges from cognitively intact adults to those in the moderate stage of dementia. Enrollment is open to both sexes and all racial/ethnic groups. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Kayla Rinna, M.S., TLLP

Telephone: (734) 936-7739

Email: krinna@med.umich.edu

Wellness Study

HUM00201523 

Overview 

The Wellness Study is a project comparing the effects of two types of group wellness classes for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their support persons. This study includes a minimum of 16 visits at the University of Michigan involving an in-person screening, cognitive testing, surveys, and a 12-week group wellness class. Additionally, there are optional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans that the individual with ADRD can complete. 


Eligibility Criteria 


Exclusionary Criteria 


How to Participate 


If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact: 


Gianna Tunzi, B.S. 


Telephone: (734) 936-2397 


Email: gitunzi@med.umich.edu 


You can read more about the Wellness Study on the US Clinical Trials website (link - https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05048966?term=NCT05048966&draw=2&rank=1)  

Modified Story and Memory Technique

HUM00220389 

Overview 

The modified Story and Memory Technique (mSMT) Study is a project that aims to investigate the effectiveness of a memory enhancement technique in persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and to understand how well this technique may help people with MCI improve their memory and ability to function in everyday life. This study takes 18 months to fully complete and includes a minimum of 15 visits at the University of Michigan involving an in-person screening, cognitive testing, surveys, and two intervention sessions per week for 5 weeks. Additionally, there are 2 optional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans that eligible participants can complete.

 

Eligibility Criteria 


Exclusionary Criteria 


How to Participate 


If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact: 


Mateo Lopez, B.A. 


Telephone: (734) 936-7758 


Email: rpcnbi-mSMT@med.umich.edu 

Stimulation of Cingulo-Opercular Alertness Network (SCAN)

HUM00184296

Overview

Stimulation of Cingulo-Opercular Alertness Network (SCAN) examines the use of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) as a potential treatment for cognitive challenges in those suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. The study includes 12 visits at the University of Michigan including cognitive testing, tDCS, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Jaimie Barr

Telephone: (734) 998-6894

Email: jaimieba@med.umich.edu 

You can read more about the SCAN study on the U.S. Clinical Trials website

fNIRS in ADRD

HUM00211292

Overview

The fNIRS in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Disorders (ADRD) study aims to compare two types of neuroimaging in different diagnoses along the ADRD spectrum. The first type of imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), is a relatively new type of neuroimaging that uses light to measure changes in brain activity. The second type of imaging is functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a type of neuroimaging that uses a strong magnet to measure changes in brain activity. Introducing fNIRS as an imaging technique has the potential to expand and improve diagnosis and characterization in individuals with ADRD.

This study uses fNIRS, fMRI, and neuropsychological testing to characterize symptoms and brain activity along the ADRD spectrum. For participants in the Brain-Behavior Characterization (BBC) study, enrollment in fNIRS in ADRD would add one additional study visit. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or if you have questions regarding this study, please contact the study’s Research Supervisor:

Kayla Rinna, M.S., TLLP

Telephone: (734) 936-7739

Email: krinna@med.umich.edu

TMS in ADRD

HUM00211294

Overview

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in those with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (TMS in ADRD) uses a form of non-invasive brain stimulation called TMS to examine measures of neuroplasticity specifically, in those with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The study will usually involve 1 to 3 visits. Participants may have memory tests, a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The study enrolls adults over the age of 50 with and without cognitive conditions.  

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

You will be excluded if you: 

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Charlene Garcia, B.S.

Telephone: (734) 764-0251

Email: gacharle@med.umich.edu

Michigan Neural Distinctiveness (MiND)

HUM00199054

Overview

The Michigan Neural Distinctiveness (MiND) project investigates how the brain changes with age and neuropathology, how those changes relate to cognitive function, and what might cause those changes. The study includes 3 visits at the University of Michigan involving cognitive testing, surveys, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We are recruiting older adults both with and without cognitive changes such as mild cognitive impairment. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Esther, Kim

Telephone: (734) 763-0343

Email: mindstudy@umich.edu 

Memory Training and Neuroplasticity

Multimodal Investigation of Neural Plasticity 

HUM00201483

Overview

The Multimodal Investigation of Neural Plasticity (fMRS) project aims to evaluate the effects of a form of brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and test whether it changes brain activity and improves memory. This study includes up to 4 visits at the University of Michigan. Participants will receive one tDCS session where they are randomly assigned to either a "real" or "fake" tDCS group (50/50 chance). Before and after the tDCS session, participants will complete a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and perform memory tasks. We are recruiting older adults both with and without cognitive changes such as mild cognitive impairment. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Nayiri Sagherian

Telephone: (248) 990-1373

Email: nasagher@umich.edu

HUM00199574

Overview

The Memory Training and Plasticity (WMtrain) study aims to to better understand the effects of cognitive training as a possible method for improving cognition. This study includes between 8 and 18 visits at the University of Michigan involving cognitive testing, surveys, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We are recruiting older adults both with and without cognitive changes such as mild cognitive impairment. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Kathy Xie, B.S.

Telephone: (734) 647-3704

Email: memorytrainingstudy@umich.edu

Patient Centered Neurorehabilitation

HUM00111090

Overview

Each individual presents with unique needs and deserves a research intervention that is tailored to these needs. Thus, the vision of PCN is to deliver personalized research-based, non-pharmacologic (i.e., non-medication based) interventions that target the primary needs of the patient and their family members. The study utilizes both tES and cognitive rehabilitation to accomplish this, with the goal to identify how best to use these methods (alone or in combination). 

Participants will undergo a neuropsychological evaluation that establishes cognitive strengths and weaknesses, as well as both structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize and quantify measures of brain functioning. The combination of these findings allows us to select and/or optimize the research treatments based on the individual’s needs. The length and nature of treatment will vary by participant but it is estimated that an average of 30 sessions will be provided. We will ideally extend this duration as resources and participant interest allow, including establishing remote services via secure videoconferencing platforms.

PCN enrolls older adults with cognitive aging conditions, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or other neurodegenerative/neurological diseases. 

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Kayla Rinna, B.S.

Telephone: (734) 936-7739

Email: krinna@med.umich.edu

You can read more about the PCN study on the U.S. Clinical Trials website

Promoting Adaptive Neuroplasticity

Overview

Promoting Adaptive Neuroplasticity in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MERIT) examines the effects of two types of treatments for memory impairment in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI): a cognitive rehabilitation task involving new ways to learn and remember information and non-invasive brain stimulation (tDCS). tDCS can enhance functioning in brain regions associated with memory decline, thereby reinforcing the benefits of memory rehabilitation strategies. The study includes 9 visits at the University of Michigan including cognitive testing, tDCS, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusionary Criteria

How to Participate

If you are interested in participation, or have questions regarding how to participate, contact:

Kayla Rinna, M.S., TLLP

Telephone: (734) 936-7739

Email: krinna@med.umich.edu

To see the visit schedule click here.

You can read more about the Merit study on the U.S. Clinical Trials website.

If you are interested in learning more about participating in these studies, please see our contact page or fill out the following form: