Alzheimer's Disease Center

 

BRAiNS - Specifics of the Program

BRAiNS:

	Overview

	Specifics of the Program

	Links to Newsletters

What Will Happen If I Join The Study?

• You will be scheduled for memory testing and a physical examination at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging.
• If you can't travel to the center, don't worry. In-home visits are available for those with physical disabilities, or for those who cannot make it to the Center for an appointment.
• You will visit with one of our trained staff neurologists or geriatricians as part of this visit.
• This visit will take about 2 to 3 hours in total and will be repeated each year.
• You will be asked to donate your brain tissue for research purposes at the time of your death. Our rapid autopsy protocol does not delay funeral arrangements, disfigure in any way, and is facilitated by one of our on call physicians 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

Will I Benefit From Participation in the Study?

• You may not benefit directly from participating in this research program, but medical needs will be addressed that may be of interest to you. Issues that are important to you can be discussed confidentially with a study physician.
• Appropriate state-of-the-art treatment will be provided by the study physicians to address your medical needs*.
• If we find any evidence of memory decline, you will be notified and appropriate evaluation and treatment will be coordinated with your local physician or with one of the study doctors*.
• Our quarterly newsletters and semi-annual town-hall meetings will keep you informed of the latest medical advances that may prevent the development of AD, and promote normal healthy brain aging for all.

Who Can Participate?

• Anyone age 70 years or older who:
  • Has no history of neurological disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease, history of brain infection, multiple sclerosis...)
  • Is willing to undergo annual examination
  • Agrees to donate his/her brain tissue at death for research purposes
• Participation is open to persons of all genders, racial backgrounds, and ethnicities. Minority participants are encouraged to enroll.

What Will it Cost to Participate?

• There is no cost to you or your family for any of these activities*.

How to Reach Us

We hope you will consider this unique opportunity to contribute to our ongoing research efforts. Please call Diane Spencer (859)323-6422, email at diane2@email.uky.edu or Kathy Grossman (859) 257-5562, email kgros2@email.uky.edu to learn more.

• Study physician time and expertise will never be billed to you or your insurance company. If additional diagnostic testing is needed to address your medical issues that are not covered in our research study budget, they may be billed to your insurance company, if you agree to the testing. Necessary treatments may be billed to your insurance or prescription plan, or may need to be paid by you, depending on your coverage. We will always work within your insurance and prescription plan to minimize any direct costs to you.