Intervention Studies/Clinical Trials

One of the major goals of the Center is to find better treatments for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders, and to improve the care provided to these individuals. This goal is accomplished in part through intervention studies/clinical trials, for determining whether a specific intervention is beneficial. For example, some intervention studies compare the effects of different lifestyle factors or activities, and some involve the evaluation of medications.

The following intervention studies/clinical trials are underway:

Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Cognitively Normal Individuals

Principal Investigator: Paul Rosenberg, M.D.

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if treatment with a medication that alters amyloid accumulation in the brain can delay progression to mild cognitive impairment among cognitively normal individuals with imaging evidence of amyloid accumulation.
For more information, contact Samantha Horn at 410-550-9020 or e-mail [email protected].

Personalized Dementia Care

Principal Investigator: Quincy Miles Samus, Ph.D.

The goal of this study is to determine if providing personalized, virtual companion-guided service by trained senior volunteers can help people living with dementia living at home and support their care partner(s), while at the same time, providing meaningful civic engagement opportunities for volunteers.

For more information, visit the MEMORI Corps website or contact Alice Wang or Ayaat Fadlalla.

Treatment of Agitation in Dementia

Principal Investigator: Constantine Lyketsos, M.D., M.H.S.

The goal of this study is to determine if treating dementia patients with a medication that is used to treat depression and anxiety (Escitalopram), in combination with a psychosocial intervention, will reduce symptoms of agitation. Participants in the study will be given either the active drug or a placebo (i.e., a sugar pill) for 9 weeks.
For more information contact Mersania Jn Pierre at 410-550-9022 or e-mail [email protected].

Treatment of Frontotemporal Dementia

Principal Investigator: Chiadi Onyike, M.D.

Researchers are conducting studies of various treatments for Frontotemporal Dementia and the behaviors that are commonly associated with the disease. These studies involve investigational treatments, sometimes usingpre-existing drugs that are being applied in a new way.

For more information, contact Haley Park at 410-502-5816 or e-mail [email protected].

Treatment of Depression in Patients with Memory Problems

Principal Investigator: Paul Rosenberg, M.D. & Albert Garcia-Romeu, Ph.D.

The goal of this study is to determine if a medication (Psilocybin) will improve symptoms of depression in patients with mild memory problems or mild dementia. Participants in the study participate in weekly sessions for 2 months, as well as follow-up visits up to 6 months after treatment.

For more information contact Hillary Jackson at 410-550-5466 or e-mail [email protected].

Treatment of Sleep in Patients with Mild Memory Problems

Principal Investigator: Barry Greenberg, Ph.D.

The goal of this study is to determine if a drug, Trazodone, will improve sleep and cognition in individuals with mild memory problems. The study involves five study visits to Johns Hopkins over a period of 13 to 15 weeks. Participants in this study will be given both an active drug and a placebo (i.e., a sugar pill). The evaluations include measures of sleep, cognition and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Participants also receive educational support and materials on the topics related to sleep and memory problems.

For more information, contact Morgan Eibner at 410-550-7385 or e-mail [email protected].

Learn more about Observational Research Studies.

If you are interested in being contacted about opportunities to participate in research studies on aging and memory loss associated with the Center, please complete the ‘Participate in Research’ form.