Volunteer for Research

Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease Study

People with Alzheimer’s disease commonly feel agitated and this treatable condition often makes living with the disease more difficult.  Agitation symptoms include: irritability, anger, frustration, sleeplessness or pacing (wandering).  The goal of this study is to assist families living with Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of this study is to learn if a medication called CITALOPRAM helps people with Alzheimer’ s disease and their agitation. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and experiencing agitation (feelings of irritability, unable to sit still, restlessness, frustration, and anger) they may be eligible to participate in this study. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Jane Pollutra 410-550-4258. Constantine Lyketsos, MD, MPH, Principal Investigator (JHU IRB Application # NA_00018070)

Depression in Alzheimer’s Disease Study

People with Alzheimer’s disease can feel depressed. This condition is treatable with medication. Symptoms of depression can be loss of interest, feelings of hopelessness, persistent aches and pains, feeling sad, anxious or empty, loss of appetite, irritability, restlessness, insomnia or even excessive sleeping. We are conducting a research study to examine this and to see if a drug called venlafaxine may help.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and experiencing feelings of depression, they may be eligible to participate in this study. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Jane Pollutra 410-550-4258. Paul Rosenberg, M.D. Principal Investigator (JHU IRB Application #: NA_00066043)

Memory & Aging Study

The Johns Hopkins Memory Center is currently conducting a study of the differences between normal aging, mild memory problems, and the onset of memory disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease. If you choose to participate in the Memory and Aging Study, you and a study partner will be invited to our clinic for a 2-3 hour assessment including memory testing, physical exam, and blood samples. We will ask you and your study partner questions about your daily functioning. You will return to our clinic once a year for an annual physical exam and memory testing. People, 60 years old or older, with or without memory problems, can participate in this study. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Meredith McCrae at 410-550-9021. Constantine Lyketsos, MD, MPH,, Principal Investigator (JHU IRB Application No: NA_00045104)

Mental Stimulation Study

Do you have more trouble than usual remembering things? People 50 and older with memory problems are needed for a research study to find out if mentally stimulating activities can improve memory. You may participate at:  Johns Hopkins Bayview or Mays Chapel Ridge. Participation involves 1 screening visit, 4 visits lasting 5 hours, and 17 visits lasting 1 hour.  You will be paid $620 for the study. For more information, please call Christina at (410) 550-2688. Principal Investigator: Miriam Z. Mintzer, Ph.D. (IRB Protocol #: NA_00039100)

Preliminary Study of Carvedilol for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

This study is being done to see if the anti-hypertensive drug carvedilol can improve thinking and memory in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Carvedilol is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and ventricular dysfunction. substances, which control the muscles in the heart. In an observational study of people with Alzheimer’s disease, there was some indication that people who took beta-blockers had a slower rate of decline in their thinking and memory. In studies using mice, daily doses of carvedilol decreased some of the toxic chemicals in the brain that are believed to cause Alzheimer’s disease. These initial observations suggest that carvedilol, by having a beneficial effect on vascular conditions in the brain, may decrease certain toxins in the brain. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Jane Pollutra 410-550-4258. Paul Rosenberg, M.D. , Principal Investigator (JHU IRB Application #.: NA_00035546)

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test for Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker Development

The purpose of this research is to find if there is a relationship between a chemical in the blood, which may be related to memory problems, and the body’s hormonal response from the pancreas, gut, and fat tissue after an oral glucose tolerance test. People with and without memory problems may join this study. The study involves a memory screening test and an oral glucose tolerance test. The results of these tests will help us with our research study related to memory, aging, and hormones. If you are interested in learning more about this study please call Jane Pollutra 410-550-4258. Esther Oh, M.D., Principal Investigator (JHU IRB Application No.: NA_00014837)