UNMC Department of Neurological Sciences, led by David Warren, PhD, has developed a study to better understand the relationship between the genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and how that risk may impact brain and cognitive development in children. To test this relationship, genetic data, measures of memory (among other abilities) and a brain scan with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) will be collected from healthy children at two time-points during a key period of brain and cognitive development.
This research study seeks to understand AD from a new perspective: one that recognizes that the disease takes a lifetime to develop with contributions from environmental factors, lifestyle and genes. Understanding the relationship between childhood brain development, cognitive development and the genetics of AD could lead to a foundational breakthrough in preventative treatments.
Subject Inclusion Criteria
- Ages 8 to 13 years old.
- Medically healthy.
- Parent/guardian must be able to provide consent.
- Participant must be able to express agreement.
- Participant must be able to comply with instructions and comfortably sit still during tasks.
The study will be comprised of three in-person visits at the Clarkson Doctor’s Building North on the main UNMC campus. Each visit is roughly two to three hours long, and total participation time is about eight hours. There is no cost for participation. Participants will be compensated.
Participants will be asked to provide demographic and medical information, complete behavioral tasks (both paper & pencil and computer games), complete saliva sample collection and undergo a 60-minute MRI scan.
There is a longitudinal component in which participants may be asked to come back and complete the same testing in one- to two-years’ time.
If interested in participating, please fill out this form.
Call 402-559-3158 or email to learn more information and/or schedule a first visit.
To learn more about Warren’s lab, visit the website or Facebook page.
The IRB number is 436-19-EP.