Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)

Purpose of the Study

The goal of ADNI is to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in ongoing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. All of the data from all the ADNI sites is collected in a secure database so that scientists studying AD can access it for scientific investigation, teaching or planning clinical research studies (see ADNI Data Access for details). We are now running the ADNI-4 version of ADNI at UCSF.

Study Details

Inclusion criteria: Participants must be between the ages of 55 and 90 and be in good general health, with or without memory problems or concerns. Participants will need a reliable study partner who has frequent contact with the participant, is available to provide information about the participant, and can accompany the participant to research visits as needed. All participants must be willing and able to undergo testing procedures, including neuroimaging, and agree to longitudinal follow-up.

Exclusion criteria: Any significant neurological disease other than Alzheimer’s disease including Parkinson’s disease, multi-infarct dementia, Huntington’s disease, normal pressure hydrocephalus, brain tumor, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), seizure disorder, subdural hematoma, multiple sclerosis, or history of significant head trauma followed by persistent neurological deficits or known structural brain abnormalities. Any significant systemic illness or unstable medical condition. The presence of pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments, or foreign objects in the eyes, skin, or body. Longstanding (>10 years) history of alcohol or substance abuse with continuous abuse up to and including the time that the symptoms leading to clinical presentation developed. History of major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia that puts assessment of cognitive impairment into question. Clinically significant abnormalities in B12, RPR (rapid plasma reagin), or TFTs (thyroid function tests) that might interfere with the study.

What to Expect

Testing: Neurological and physical examinations; interview with study partner; MRIs; PET scans; cognitive testing; detailed family history; blood and urine specimen collection for cell line generation and biomarker analysis; optional lumbar punctures (LP) for CSF specimen collection and biomarker analysis; questionnaires for participant and study partner.

The Frequency of Visits: Participants will be assessed at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center. MRIs will be done at the Neuroscience Imaging Center (NIC), and PET scans will be conducted at the UCSF China Basin campus. How often the participant will come in depends on the cohort they are in. The typical timeline looks like this: Screening, baseline, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4. Participants can also opt to do telephone check-ins rather than actual clinic visits.

Materials Needed Before Evaluation: None

Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Participants will be sent a check for $100 for every clinic visit and $200 for every lumbar puncture.

Contact Information

If you are interested in participating in this study or have any questions, please contact the lead study coordinator, Morgan Blackburn at [email protected] or 415.514.8745.