Current Research Opportunities

If you would like to participate in any of the listed research studies, please contact the study coordinator shown on the link.

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The National Cell Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease (NCRAD) is a project being conducted at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

NCRAD was established in 1990 and now involves over 800 families nationwide.  Researchers throughout the world are using NCRAD to better understand conditions involving serious memory loss, like Alzheimer’s disease.

If there are two or more blood-related individuals who are living and have symptoms of memory loss, researchers may be very interested in studying your family.  We are eager to involve new families from every location. 

Participation in the NCRAD is completely voluntary.  You and your family members are free to decline or discontinue participation at any time.  There is no cost to you for participating.

As part of your participation in this project, you may be asked to complete a Family History Questionnaire.  You or your family members may also be asked to donate a sample of blood.  These blood samples are used to obtain DNA and cells, the material that is used for genetic research.  In addition, medical records or a physical examination may be helpful to document symptoms of memory loss in those who are affected.

Information about families enrolled in this project is strictly confidential.  Researchers requesting samples from NCRAD do not obtain any identification information and cannot determine from whom the sample was obtained. 

Our hope is that through the efforts of families with memory loss, we will soon unravel the mystery of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.  Your family can be an essential part of this research by participating in NCRAD. 

Researchers are actively attempting to understand the genetics of familial conditions having serious memory loss.  They are moving rapidly towards this goal, learning more every day. 

We are also looking for healthy men and women, over the age of 60, to help us understand the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease.  Healthy volunteers are older adults, over the age of 60, who do not have any neurological problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or stroke. 

For more information, call NCRAD at:

(800) 526-2839

http://ncrad.iu.edu

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The IU Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders is currently seeking volunteers for a clinical trial to determine the effects of Raloxifene (Evista) on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in post menopausal women.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Raloxifene (Evista) on symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in women who at the same time are also receiving standard medical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The research is being done because there is evidence that raloxifene might improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in women, but raloxifene has not yet been tested in a clinical trial for this purpose.

Volunteers who decide to participate will be randomly assigned into one of two groups. One group will receive raloxifene, and the other will receive an inactive capsule called a placebo.   Volunteers have an equal chance of being placed in either group (by chance, like flipping a coin).

Study Medication:  Raloxifene has been shown to be safe and effective in older women for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.  Raloxifene is FDA approved for the treatment of osteoporosis. Raloxifene does not contain estrogen. Potential side effects associated with raloxifene include hot flashes and leg cramps at night.  Raloxifene will be taken once a day during the study.

Study Visits:  Study participation is one year.  Study visits in the clinic are every 3 months, once qualified for the study. To qualify for the study volunteers have 2 visits within 4 weeks, for a total 6 visits to the clinic in the one year period. 

Study Procedures:  Volunteers will have an MRI if they have not had one in the past 24 months. Memory testing will be done 3 times during the one year study period. Blood tests will be done 3 times during the one year study period. The study physician will routinely see volunteers during the study.

There is no cost to volunteers to participate in this research. Parking will be paid for. The study will be conducted at University Hospital in Indianapolis. Volunteers will be compensated for their participation.

To Qualify Volunteers must:

• Be female
• 60 years of age or older
• Post menopausal
• Have a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease
• Take one of the following to treat their Alzheimer’s disease; Aricept (Donepezil), Exelon (Rivastigmine) or Razadyne (Galantamine).

 For more information, call Sheryl Lynch at:

317-278-8307

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