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This study is not currently recruiting. Please check back at a later time.

STUDY BASICS

Are you age 65 or older and generally healthy? If so, you may be able to participate in a brain imaging research study that examines the effect of normal aging on mental and physical abilities. Participation involves questionnaires, tests, and MRI and PET scanning. Compensation and paid parking provided.


STUDY PURPOSE

As a person ages, the brain changes. While many changes are normal, others may be signs of potential health problems. The purpose of this study is to help researchers better understand how certain types of brain changes may be related to changes in mental performance that often occur with increasing age. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a better understanding of brain changes and mental performance in older adults.


COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?
  • Ages 65 or up
  • Are generally healthy
  • Have 12 or more years of education
  • Fluent in English
  • No history of psychiatric or neurological disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, current major depression, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, substance use disorder)
  • Able and willing to undergo MRI scanning (not claustrophobic)

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves an initial phone call to find out if you are eligible for the study. Eligible participants will have up to five visits. During the first 2.5 hour visit, participants will complete questionnaires and participate in a series of brief tests of mental performance to measure your memory, language, spatial, attentional, and problem-solving abilities. This visit takes place at UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Oakland.

During the next two visits, participants will undergo two types of brain imaging scans: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). These visits will take place in the MR Research Center and in the PET Facility which are both located within UPMC Presbyterian Hospital or the Biomedical Science Tower. A research staff member will escort you to and from these facilities. These visits will take up to 5-6 hours to complete.  You will also be invited to return for follow-up visits approximately 16 months and 32 months after entry.

IRB: STUDY19020326
- Brain Amyloid and Cognition in Normal elderly

RESEARCH AREAS & CONDITIONS:
  Healthy Aging

Age Range
AGE:   65 and up
Duration
DURATION:  Up to 32 months
VISITS:  Up to 5
Location
LOCATION:  Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC and MR Research Center - Oakland
Compensation
COMPENSATION:  Up to $1000 + paid parking or transportation costs
Location
PHONE NUMBER: 1-866-438-8230
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INTERESTED?

Visit https://pittplusme.org/study/1190 and click on "I'm Interested" or call 1-866-438-8230.

LEARN MORE

PittPlusMe.org
1-866-438-8230
PittPlusMe@pitt.edu
@PittPlusMe
@PittPlusMe

MEET THE RESEARCHER


Howard J. Aizenstein

Howard J. Aizenstein, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Aizenstein’s research interests include identifying key brain structures associated with affective and cognitive processing, and how these change over time with and without intervention.