Memory Disorders Program
georgetown university, washington dc
Diagnostic and Monitoring Trials
Biostatistics and Clicnial Methodology Research
Types of Research:
The Memory Disorders Program conducts research studies, which seek to further our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and develop novel treatments and diagnostic procedures. We also participate in clinical studies that seek to preserve and improve quality of life for both the patient with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregiver.
Our research studies can be classified as Treatment Trials, Diagnostic and Monitoring Trials, Caregiver Studies, Basic Science Research and Biostatistics and Methodology Research. Research participation is always voluntary and eligibility criteria vary by study. We recruit people with mild, moderate or severe AD, those with mild cognitive impairment (also called MCI), and healthy volunteers with no memory problems. Study partners, often family members or friends, are also recruited to provide information on our study subjects.
Listed below are a brief descriptions of studies for which we are currently recruiting subjects. Contact information is listed for each study. If you have general questions about research please contact Kelly Behan at 202-687-0413 or Farida Sita at 202-687-8800.
Treatment Trials: Also referred to as clinical trials, these studies examine the effectiveness and safety of new medications, vitamins, or compounds. In addition, pharmaceutical agents approved for treatment of other medical conditions are tested for use in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Diagnostic and Monitoring Trials: These studies investigate methods for the identification of Alzheimer’s disease and measures for monitoring disease progression. Enhanced diagnostic methods will improve early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Imaging and blood studies are prime examples of this type of research.
Caregiving Studies: These studies evaluate disease impact on patients, their families, and society as a whole. These studies provide information on areas where interventions could assist caregivers. These studies are largely interview based.
Basic Science Research: Senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and significant neuronal cell loss are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. These pathological hallmarks are developed by accumulation of amyloid beta peptide, hyper-phosphorylation of tau, and significant neurodegeneration. Our drug discovery efforts are focused on anti-amyloid beta and anti-tau hyper-phosphorylation. We also focus on development of an optimal animal model and method to evaluate neuroprotective agents. For more detail, please visit Dr Matsuoka's laboratory page- http://matsuokalab.georgetown.edu.
Biostatistics and Methodology Research: These studies attempt to develop a better understanding of how symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., behavioral disturbance, cognitive decline, sleep disturbance) can be accurately ‘measured’ and what, in the brain, these symptoms actually reflect. In addition, these studies examine how inaccuracies in these measurements affect statistical modeling and by extension, our conceptualization of the symptoms themselves.
memory@georgetown.edu| 202-784-6671 | memory.georgetown.edu