Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine announced on Apr. 17 that it is recruiting older adults for a new research study focused on Alzheimer’s disease. The observational study will examine changes in brain levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), an important molecule for cellular energy, to determine if it can serve as a biomarker for the progression and treatment response of Alzheimer’s disease.
The effort aims to improve understanding and advance potential treatments for Alzheimer’s by studying NAD levels in the brains of affected individuals compared to healthy volunteers. Researchers plan to enroll 20 participants between the ages of 65 and 80, with half diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and half cognitively healthy. Each participant will attend two morning visits about eight months apart at FAU’s Clinical Research Unit located at the Boca Raton campus.
“This research is focused on detecting changes in brain NAD levels in Alzheimer’s disease using advanced MRI,” said Corinne I. Lasmézas, DVM, Ph.D., principal investigator and professor at FAU’s Department of Clinical Neurosciences within the Schmidt College of Medicine. “By participating in this important study, you will help researchers accelerate the development of treatments to prevent, slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Eligible participants must be able to travel to FAU’s Clinical Research Unit, be verbal and ambulatory. Those with Alzheimer’s must have their diagnosis confirmed by a physician as well as supporting test results such as a positive amyloid PET scan or FDA-approved cerebrospinal fluid or blood test.
During each visit, participants will undergo cognitive assessments (MoCA), have their brain NAD levels measured via magnetic resonance spectroscopy MRI scans, and provide blood and urine samples. They will receive a $25 gift card per visit plus a complimentary MRI after their first appointment.
The university encourages interested individuals to email CRUDOR@health.fau.edu for more information or visit ClinicalTrials.gov for further details about participation.
