How to Participate in Research
Your participation in clinical trials is essential for advancing treatments for neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia spectrum disorders, and Huntington’s disease. By joining a clinical trial, you contribute to the development of therapies that aim to improve outcomes for patients living with these diseases. If you are interested in one of our clinical trials, please discuss it with your doctor or contact the study team to see if it is right for you.
Participating in observational research studies plays a vital role in improving the understanding, diagnosis, and care of neurodegenerative diseases that lead to dementia. These studies focus on gathering important data about disease progression and symptoms without involving treatment interventions. If a research study interests you, please talk to your doctor or contact the study team to learn more about your eligibility.
The UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center provides a brain donation program for patients who are registered and have been seen at UCSF. A brain autopsy can confirm a neurodegenerative disease diagnosis, providing invaluable insights for both families and researchers.
For patients seeking insurance-based clinical care, please visit the Clinical Services section for details on obtaining a referral and scheduling an appointment.
Resources for Investigators
As an NIH-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the UCSF Edward and Pearl Fein Memory and Aging Center is committed to collaborating with investigators of the highest caliber. We provide access to several key resources for advancing research:
Neurodegenerative Disease Brain Bank (NDBB)
The NDBB serves as a repository for nervous system tissue donated for research purposes, supporting studies aimed at understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
Care Ecosystem
The Care Ecosystem is a dementia care model designed to deliver personalized, cost-effective support for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The downloadable Care Ecosystem Toolkit provides protocols, educational materials, staffing guidance, and billing strategies to help health systems and clinics implement dementia-capable care.
TabCAT and EXAMINER
TabCAT (Tablet-based Cognitive Assessment Tool) and EXAMINER are innovative computer- and tablet-based cognitive testing platforms. These tools are designed for use in clinical research studies, offering advanced assessments to detect and monitor cognitive changes.
At UCSF, we are committed to fostering collaboration and sharing resources to advance the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
