Research Studies

Our main Center longitudinal study investigates changes in cognitive functioning over time to learn more about normal aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We are looking for adults with or without cognitive changes over the age of 55. Must be able and willing to undergo MRI.

Contact: Holly Bunker
[email protected]
734-615-5319

Location: Ann Arbor or Detroit

CLARiTI is a research study that seeks to identify the possible causes of dementia that may be present in an individual and may be contributing to a person’s current or future cognitive symptoms. The study will run a panel of experimental and established biomarker tests for the several causes of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular disease, and Lewy Body Disease, as well as less common or difficult to detect causes of dementia. We are seeking adults age 55 and older who are already enrolled in our longitudinal University of Michigan Memory and Aging Project (UM-MAP) with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment or a dementia diagnosis.

Contact: Joelle Saad
[email protected] 
734-764-3181 

Location: Ann Arbor

Research study comparing two different types of group wellness classes for individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD) and their support persons. The study team is looking to recruit participants 50 or older with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia and a caregiver over the age of 18.

Contact: Emily Mills
[email protected] 
734-936-9734

Location: Ann Arbor, Detroit, or Virtual

This study seeks to learn whether certain driving behaviors in day-to-day life or in the laboratory can differentiate individuals who are cognitively healthy and those who have cognitive difficulties. The study team is recruiting individuals ages 65 and older who are either cognitively healthy or have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, have a valid driver’s license, drive at least twice per week, and drive a car that is model year 1996 or newer. Driving data is kept confidential and is used for research purposes only.

Contact: Study team
[email protected]
734-232-0128

Location: Ann Arbor or Dearborn

This study aims to evaluate frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) patients and asymptomatic family members of FTLD patients, characterizing the cohorts longitudinally and informing clinical trial design. The study is looking for adults age 18 or older with a diagnosis of FTLD or with normal cognition who have a family member with FTLD.

Contact: Kiren Chaudhry
[email protected] 
734-615-3593

Location: Ann Arbor

This is a longitudinal research project investigating how the brain changes with age, how those changes relate to cognitive function, and what might cause those changes. The study is looking for healthy, cognitively intact adults, age 65 and older with normal or corrected-to-normal hearing, vision and motor control to complete 3 in-person sessions which include cognitive (thinking) tests and 2 MRI brain scans.

Contact: Bingjie Liu 
[email protected]
734-763-0343

Location: Ann Arbor

The goal of this study is to learn more about the daily experiences and sleep patterns of Black care partners and people living with dementia. This study is recruiting care partners age 18+ currently residing in the United States who identify as Black or African American and the people living with symptoms of dementia (with or without a diagnosis) they reside with and support.

Contact: Charity Garner
[email protected] 
734-232-0532

Location: Phone

The goal of this study is to learn more about the daily experiences and sleep patterns of couples living with dementia, along with how these factors influence well-being and brain health over time. This study is recruiting couple currently residing in Michigan who are age 60 or older with one partner living with symptoms of dementia (with or without a diagnosis).

Contact: Charity Garner
[email protected] 
734-232-0532

Location: Phone

“SuperAgers” are adults over age 80 with the memory ability of individuals 3 decades younger. The SuperAging Research Initiative studies these cognitively healthy adults to identify protective factors that contribute to such remarkable memory performance, including cognitive, lifestyle, genetic, and brain factors. The study is recruiting individuals age 80 and older who are cognitively healthy, fluent in English, and willing to participate in a longitudinal study (visits every 2 years as able).

Contact: Gabrielle Lincoln
[email protected] 
734-764-6157

Location: Ann Arbor or Detroit

This research study is using a form of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS. The study aims to use TMS to learn more about measures of the ability of the brain to adapt or change. The study team is looking for adults 50 and older with normal cognition, MCI, AD, FTD, PDD, and other related dementias.

Contact: Risto Crouse
[email protected]  
734-764-6447 

Location: Ann Arbor

This research study is investigating the effectiveness of a memory enhancement technique in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). One group will undergo a memory enhancement protocol, used to improve memory functioning in individuals with MCI, while the other group will serve as a control group and complete memory exercises with the researcher. The study team is looking for individuals aged 60 or older with a clinical or research diagnosis of MCI to participate.

Contact: Risto Crouse
[email protected]  
734-734-6447 

Location: Ann Arbor

This project is studying the use of a new radioactive drug ([11C]COU) used during PET scanning to learn about its safety and how the drug interacts with monoamine oxidase, an enzyme in the brain that has known (or expected) alterations in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. The study team is looking for adults aged 18 and older with an established clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or a related neurodegenerative disorder.

Contact: James Pool 
[email protected] 
734-615-7391 

Location: Ann Arbor

University of Michigan researchers are conducting this study to understand the link between hearing and brain health. Findings will help us discover if hearing can aid in early detection for Alzheimer’s disease. The study team is look ing for adults ages 18 and older, with or without hearing loss, who have either a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or memory concerns.

Contact: Dr. Karli Nave 
[email protected]
734-647-6252

Location: Ann Arbor

This study investigates the link between speech/language changes and specific types of brain degeneration called frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Increased knowledge and detection of speech and language decline in people with FTLD may improve our ability to diagnose and monitor these diseases. The study is looking for adults over the age of 50 with a diagnosis of an FTLD-associated syndrome, such as behavioral variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), or amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS).

Contact: Dr. Tanav Popli 
[email protected] 
734-232-2451

Location: Ann Arbor

The APT Webstudy is an online memory and thinking research tool aimed at accelerating enrollment into AD clinical trials by identifying and tracking individuals who may be at higher risk for developing AD. The study is looking for adults over age 50. Visit www.aptwebstudy.org/welcome for more information about the study.

Contact: Study team
[email protected] 
858-877-3135

Location: Virtual

This study aims to develop a new measurement system that can capture and better understand the experiences of an individual who cares for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRD), specifically non-traditional care partners. We are seeking adults aged 18 or older who are currently providing physical assistance, emotional support, and/or financial help to someone living with ADRD. Participants should have an existing relationship with the person they care for and be able to read, speak, and understand English. Please note that individuals cannot participate if they are paid professional caregivers or if the person they care for is currently in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or is bedbound.

Contact: The CODA Lab 
[email protected] 
734-764-0644

Location: Virtual

Our research study is currently enrolling family members of people living with dementia to help us understand the financial impact that dementia has on your family. We are seeking adults aged 18 or older who are currently involved with the finances of a family member living with dementia. Participants should be able to read, speak, and understand English.

Contact: The CODA Lab 
[email protected] 
734-764-0644

Location: Virtual

The Siblings Caring for Parents with Dementia Study is recruiting adult children providing care to an older parent with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia to discuss their unique experiences. Participants will engage in a conversation using Zoom, complete 3 online surveys and self-collect hair and saliva samples. The study is recruiting two adult children (over age 18) in the same family who are caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia to participate.

Contact: Megan Gilligan
[email protected] 
515-294-5074

Location: Virtual

This study explores how people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment foster resilience in their everyday lives, and how these insights can inform the design of a conversational robot aimed at supporting resilience among people living with dementia. We are recruiting individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to participate in a one-hour Zoom interview, during which participants will be invited to share their experiences following their diagnosis.

Contact: Long-Jing Hsu 
[email protected] 
734-537-8654 (text or call)

Location: Virtual 

The Wellness, Hypertension, Information Sharing, Self-Management, Education (WHISE) study is an app-based study looking to understand how social factors and eating patterns are related to blood pressure management. The study team is looking for African American women living in the metro-Detroit area between the ages of 18 and 65 who have been diagnosed with hypertension by a health care provider. The study requires the use of a personal smartphone and willingness to download the WHISE app.

Contact: Lenette Jones
[email protected] 

Location: Virtual