- Study Director at UCSF: Joel Kramer, PsyD
- Sponsors: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Status: Active study, closed to new enrollment
- Official Study Title: Biomarkers for Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this consortium study is to collect information regarding the influence of small vessel diseases on cognitive impairment to detect which disease pathways should be targeted or indicate that a particular treatment is working. UC San Francisco is one of the 18 national MarkVCID sites located across the United States, all of which work to deliver high-quality biomarkers ready for use in clinical trials aimed at generating scientific breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).
Study Details
Inclusion criteria: Participants must be within the age range of 60–90. Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) of 0.5 or 1. Evidence of cerebrovascular disease on imaging (Fazekas score 2 or 3). Evidence of vascular risk factors (high blood pressure, hypertension, hypertension medications).
Exclusion criteria: A history of a major psychiatric disorder, any dementia other than Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis, substance use or medication likely to affect central nervous system functions, epilepsy, large vessel infarct, Global Deterioration Score (GDS) greater than 20, insulin-dependent diabetes, or significant motor deficits that interfere with cognitive testing.
What to Expect
Testing: Neurological and physical examinations; interview with study partner; cognitive testing; detailed family history; blood specimen collection for genetic testing and cell line generation; and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. Participants may be asked to participate in additional studies affiliated with this project.
The Frequency of Visits: Once a year
Materials Needed Prior to Evaluation: None
Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Parking will be validated for the 1625 Owens Street Garage or 1630 Third Street Garage at the UCSF Mission Bay campus for all study visits. A $100 gift card will be provided following each visit.
Contact
If you are interested in hearing more about our study, please contact Jessica Buxton, at [email protected] or visit the MarkVCID website.
