Cognitive and neuroimaging study across cultures

Eligibility

In order to participate, the participant must be at least 55 years or older and must be in good general health and safe to enter an MRI.

Purpose

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a higher risk for Latinos, who are 1.5 times more likely to develop AD than non-Latino Whites. This project aims to investigate how ethnic and genetic risk factors of AD impact memory and to develop precise neurobiological profiles in Latino and non-Latino populations before clinical symptoms manifest (e.g. to develop early detection methods).

Involvement

Participation will include a single visit lasting approximately 2-3 hours.

If you volunteer to participate in this study, the researcher will ask you to do the following:

During the visit, you will undergo:

• A 1-hour MRI testing session
• A 1-1.5-hour neuropsychological testing session that includes a standard battery of neuropsychological tests of cognition (e.g., memory, processing speed, attention, executive functioning) and questionnaires (e.g., stress, mood, lifestyle, depression, retirement, etc.)
• Saliva sample to measure genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease (Note: genetic testing results will not be shared with participants)
• The visit will take place at the Brain Mapping Center at UCLA and the Neuroscience of Memory, Mood, and Aging Laboratory.

Benefits

Participants will not directly benefit from participation in this study. This study may benefit society if the results lead to a better understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease pathology impacts memory systems of the brain. In addition, results from this study may be helpful in developing novel biomarkers or targeting therapeutic interventions to treat disorders involving memory such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Contact

The Neuroscience of Memory, Mood, and Aging Laboratory at UCLA

Phone: 310-267-5607

Email: lealmemorylab@ucla.edu

Web: memory.ibp.ucla.edu

View Study Flyer (PDF)