mind-matters-sf2021.pdf
... September 2021! Past Events: In February 2021, Dr. Ricardo Osorio presented on a topic that seems ... or microbleeds—challenging complications that often limit immunotherapy studies. continued on next page ...
Treatment Of OSA On Sleep-Dependent Memory And Blood Biomarkers In Black Study Participants
The purpose of this research study is assess whether treating sleep apnea affects memory and other brain-related health factors related to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD). This study is evaluating a new way of starting therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Monitoring outcomes of new disease modifying interventions and optimization of risk assessment in Alzheimer's disease
The purpose of this study is to develop an easier way to predict brain changes that might occur from Alzheimer's treatments, especially those using antibody therapies like Leqembi (Lecanemab). These therapies can occasionally cause brain changes, like swelling or small internal bleeding, which are usually harmless but sometimes can cause symptoms like headaches or confusion. Normally, these changes are monitored with MRI scans. However, we want to see if a simple blood test could serve as a more convenient alternative to MRIs.
Locus-coeruleus function in normal elderly and AD risk (LEAD)
Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathological changes begin decades before clinical symptoms and tau abnormalities in the locus coeruleus (LC) can be observed since midlife. We have previously demonstrated functional vulnerability of the LC to aging and stress, as well as an association between higher CSF tau and impaired sleep phenomena influenced by the LC. We now aim to test whether LC dysfunction can be measured in preclinical AD stages by LC targeted imaging, and whether it objectively affects sleep architecture and attention; by asking 30 cognitively normal older adults to perform a full clinical evaluation, one night of polysomnography, a lumbar puncture (LP) to obtain cerebrospinal fluid, [11C]MRB PET-MR, as well as attention testing.
Racial diffErences in the aSsociation Of sLow waVe slEep aNd Tau (RESOLVENT II)
This pilot proposal will examine whether racial differences exist in the association between SWS/SWA and in-vivo regional tau-PET signal for a given level of global Aß burden. To generate preliminary data for a larger R01 application, we will leverage data and resources from NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC NYULH STUDY ID#: s20-00427) and two affiliated ongoing NIH supported R01 studies (2R01AG056031 NYULH STUDY ID#: s17-01005 and 1R01AG056531 NYULH STUDY ID#: s18-01302). Altogether, subjects will include 100 cognitively normal (50 blacks from NYULH STUDY ID#: s18-01302 & 50 whites {35 from NYULH STUDY ID#: s17-01005 & 15 from NYULH STUDY ID#: s20-00427 ) without OSA (thereby eliminating a possible confounder of reduced SWS), ages 60-75, matched on age, sex, BMI, education and income.
SLEEP AGING AND RISK FOR ALZHEIMER S (RESUBMISSION-1)
Age-related sleep changes and common sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may increase amyloid burden and represent risk factors for cognitive decline. In this study, we will extend our prior work using home-sleep monitoring and cerebrospinal fluid collection in normal older adults by directly interrogating the brain using 2-night nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) and amyloid deposition using C-PiB PET/MR both at baseline and at 24 month follow-up. This study has the potential to identify the mechanisms by which age-related sleep changes contribute to AD neurodegeneration in cognitively normal elderly, of whom can profit the most from sleep preventive strategies.
Cellular Viscosity as a Marker for Alzheimer s Disease Pathology: A Combined Multiparametric MR Spectroscopy and PET Study
This project proposes the use of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Fingerprinting (MRSF) to quantify changes in intracellular viscosity separately within neurons and astrocytes and assess AD pathophysiology. We will work with the NYU AD Research Center to include our MRSF sequence within their routine tau-PET/MRI protocol, allowing for serial follow-up of a cohort of 100 cognitively normal individuals and patients with mild cognitive impairment. Both sets of subjects will undergo yearly neurocognitive assessments, plasma Aß and plasma tau evaluations; and biennial Aß-PET, tau-PET, and MRI+MRSF scans. The expected outcome of this work is a set of novel markers for neuronal and astrocytic intracellular viscosity which will potentially become biomarkers for early prediction of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD, addressing gaps in the current imaging armamentarium of the AT(N) network.
Chronic Pain and Postoperative Cognitive Function in the Elderly: a Prospective Observational Study
To assess the possible interrelation between pre-operative chronic pain and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in the elderly, we plan to enroll patients undergoing planned surgery. To evaluate the initial pain states, pain and mood questionnaires will be used prior to surgery. To explore the potential interrelation between chronic pain and POCD, pre-, and postoperative cognitive dysfunction will be assessed using common cognitive tests. Moreover, neurocognitive biomarkers will be assessed with blood samples drawn peri- and postoperatively with optional EEG-recordings prior to and after surgery. An optional MRI will be performed in randomly assigned subjects prior to surgery.
A SINGLE-CENTER OBSERVATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF SLOW WAVE SLEEP (SWS) CHARACTERISTICS AND RACE AND ETHNICITY ON AMYLOID BURDEN (A MARKER OF ALZHEIMER S DISEASE RISK) AMONG COGNITIVELY NORMAL ELDERLY.
African-Americans (AAs) have an increased prevalence of both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular risk factors for AD such as diabetes and hypertension when compared to whites. This larger component of AD-dementia has traditionally been associated with vascular risk and supported by studies showing that AAs with clinical AD more frequently have mixed pathology on autopsy. However, in a recent community based study of non-demented elderly, black race was associated with higher amyloid burden after adjusting for vascular risk factors, suggesting the presence of additional physiological differences on AD-risk by race in the early stages of the disease. The purpose of this study is to test whether poor slow wave sleep (SWS) quantity (SWS duration) and quality (slow wave activity, SWA) is one of these physiological factors.
Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease
This multi-site study will be the first to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of t-PBM in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) and early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) (CDR of 0.5-1, FAST 1-4; age 65-85) in a randomized clinical trial of 8 weeks of t-PBM vs. sham. At baseline, all subjects will complete initial neuropsychological testing. To elucidate mechanisms of action of t-PBM, prior to treatment, subjects will undergo neuroimaging related to critical features of AD: tau 18F MK-6240 load (PET), measures of brain bioenergetics (31P-MRS), and functional connectivity (rs-fMRI). After undergoing target engagement testing (t-PBM session performed during fMRI to detect BOLD changes with active t-PBM), subjects will then be randomized to t-PBM/sham. Subjects will then complete 24 t-PBM/sham treatments, ~6 min per day, 3 days per week, for 8 weeks. t-PBM will be administered via continuous, 808 nm wavelength laser delivery to the forehead bilaterally (at standard EEG electrode positions F4, F3).