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Biomarker Exploration in Aging, Cognition and Neurodegeneration

University of California, Irvine · with National Institute on Aging (NIA) · NCT03860857

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Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.

Key facts

Compensation
Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
Who can join
Ages 60+ · All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Study type
Interventional · Phase 3
Target enrollment
300
US sites recruiting
1
Study start
May 1, 2018
Record last updated
January 23, 2026

Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.

What the study is about

The purpose of this research study is to understand the factors that underlie changes in thinking and memory with increasing age. The investigators will test the usefulness of MRI, PET, and cognitive testing in detecting subtle changes in the brain that precede cognitive decline. An addendum to this study includes additional PET scans to examine the relationship between tau protein in the brain and cognitive decline. Tau is a protein that is known to form tangles in the areas of the brain important for memory, and these tau tangles are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. This sub-study research aims to look at the tau accumulation in the brain using an investigational drug called MK-6240, which is a radio tracer that gets injected prior to a positron emission tomography (PET) scan.

Being studied: Amyloid PET scan; Tau PET scan using MK-6240; Neurocognitive testing; MRI

Conditions: Alzheimer Disease; Cognitive Impairment; Cognitive Decline

Eligibility criteria

Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.

Show full criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Aged 60 or older;
  • Speaks fluent English or Spanish;
  • Visual and auditory acuity adequate for neuropsychological and computerized testing;
  • Good general health with no disease(s) expected to interfere with the study;
  • Willing and able to participate for the duration of the study and in all study procedures including MRI and PET;
  • Normal cognition defined as a Clinical Dementia Rating of 0 and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 25 or higher. FAST Stage 1 or 2.
  • Subjective memory or other cognitive complaints will be included.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Significant co-morbid neurologic disease such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain cyst, tumor or aneurysm;
  • Major health conditions, except for Type II diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, which are NOT exclusionary for this study given their high prevalence in our target populations;
  • Significant psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, except for depression and anxiety, which are NOT exclusionary for this study given their high prevalence in our target populations;
  • Existing diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment;
  • Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 2 years (DSM-IV criteria);
  • MRI contraindications, e.g. pacemakers, aneurysm clips, artificial heart valves, ear implants, metal fragments or foreign objects in the eyes, skin or body. Females who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant are also excluded;
  • PET contraindications, e.g. significant prior radiation exposure and pregnancy.

Recruiting US locations

  • University of California, Irvine

    Irvine, CA 92697

    Site contact: Evelyn Chang, BA · 949-824-0904 · beacon@uci.edu

Study contacts (from the official record)

  • Evelyn Chang, BA · 949-824-0904 · beacon@uci.edu
  • Novelle Meza, BS · 949-824-5049 · njmeza@uci.edu
All neurology studies in California →
Biomarker Exploration in Aging, Cognition and Neurodegeneration (NCT03860857) | Bored Studies