Imaging of Cognition, Learning, and Memory in Aging

This investigation is designed to study how the brain functions when it is performing explicit memory tasks, and furthermore how the brain systems supporting performance on these tests change as a function of aging. Implicit memory tasks may be distinguished from explicit memory tests in that explicit memory characterizes the directed or intentional recollection of previously learned information or events. In contrast, implicit (or nonconscious) memory is expressed in the facilitation of performance on some task or judgment on a stimulus owing to a prior presentation of that stimulus, without any necessary conscious awareness of the prior presentation. The investigators propose to use functional Magnetic resonance Imaging (fMRI) to measure brain activity during the performance of carefully designed explicit memory tasks. Comparison of brain activity during the different test conditions will provide information about the brain areas that are involved in mediating specific aspects of performance. Both older and younger individuals will be tested in order to understand age related changes in the brain activity. In order to examine the interactions between participants' differential levels of amyloid burden and their performance on cognitive tasks and fMRI neural activation, the investigators also propose PET imaging of older participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer Disease Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Dementia Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurocognitive Disorders Neurodegenerative Diseases Tauopathies

Age range

20 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Columbia University Medical Center

New York, 10032, United States

About this study

The basic approach to measuring the brain activity associated with a given cognitive process (or processes) is as follows: It is known that increases in brain neuronal activity are associated with local increases in energy metabolism. Under normal circumstances, increases in brain metabolism lead to local changes in blood oxygenation in venules and larger veins. This change in blood oxygenation can be detected imaging methods which are sensitive to the differences in magnetic state between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.

The ultimate benefit of this research is to better understand how changes in both performance and the brain organization underlying that performance are affected by aging.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Aged 20-30 or 60-70
Residing near Columbia University Medical Center
Must be willing and able to participate

Exclusion criteria

Have a contraindication to PET (e.g, metallic implants, pacemaker, claustrophobia, or cannot lie flat for one hour)
Pregnancy
Lactating Women
Current, past, or anticipated exposure to radiation
Significant active physical illness

Treatment and study plan

Florbetaben

Drug

This is a purely observational study. Results of the Florbetaben PET scan will be correlated with other observations.

Other names: F-18 BAY

Primary outcomes

Cognition as measured with cognitive evaluations

Time frame: cross sectional

We will assess the relationship between the presence of amyloid and cognition as measured with standard cognitive and neuropsychological tests

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yaakov Stern

Other

Collaborators

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2011
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Feb 16, 2011
Registry last updated: Nov 1, 2017

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

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