Molecular and Structural Imaging in Atypical Alzheimer's Disease

Study Description:
Participants are asked to come to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for 2-4 evaluations, each being one year apart. During those visits, participants are asked to complete an MRI, Amyloid PET scan, Tau PET scan, blood sample and Neuro exam.
Aphasia Friendly Study Description:
Patients with PPA (Logopenic variant) and PCA (Posterior Cortical Atrophy) are eligible to participate in this study.
Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria: Over the age of 21 Must have an informant who will be able to provide independent evaluation of functioning English is primary language All subjects must have insidious onset, report progression of their symptoms, and meet current clinical diagnostic criteria for Logopenic Aphasia (LPA) or Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA). All subjects with Logopenic Aphasia (LPA) must present with early and dominant impairments in language. Exclusion Criteria: If you have had a stroke or tumor that could explain your symptoms Subjects that present with early episodic memory impairment or meet clinical criteria for mild cognitive impairment will not be recruited into the study Subjects that meet specific criteria for another neurodegenerative disorder, including behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, semantic dementia, primary progressive apraxia of speech, probable corticobasal syndrome, or progressive supranuclear palsy, will be excluded Subjects will be excluded if they have poor vision (20/400) Women that are pregnant or post-partum and breast-feeding will be excluded Subjects will be excluded from the study if they are unable to undergo the tau-PET scan due to a prolonged QT interval on ECG, or if they have any of the following genetic conditions which can increase the chance of cancer: Cowden disease, Lynch syndrome, hypogammaglobulinemia, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and Down's syndrome Subjects will also be excluded if MRI is contraindicated (metal in head, cardiac pace maker, e.t.c.), if there is severe claustrophobia, if there are conditions that may confound brain imaging studies (e.g. structural abnormalities, including subdural hematoma or intracranial neoplasm), or if they are medically unstable or are on medications that might affect brain structure or metabolism, (e.g. chemotherapy).
Principal Investigator:
Sarah Boland
Contact Email:
boland.sarah@mayo.edu
Condition
Primary Progressive Aphasia, Posterior Cortical Atrophy
Observational or Treatment:
Observational
Type of Treatment:
None
Duration of Study:
2-4 visits, one year apart
Study Start Date:
May 1, 2016
Study End Date:
April 30, 2026
Costs or Reimbursement:
The study pays for the costs of the tests including the scans, blood test and physician visit. The study is unable to cover any travel or lodging expenses.
IRB Approval #
15008682
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