Search Results Within Category "Senior Health "
Efficacy of LoDoCo in Improving Exercise Capacity Among Patients With HFpEF and Inflammation
The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness of low dose colchicine (LoDoCo) on measures of exercise capacity, physical function, frailty, and quality of life, among patients with heart failure with chronic stable preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and systemic inflammation. The use of LoDoCo in this study is considered investigational as it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of exercise capacity in patients with HFpEF. Participants will undergo a 1-day screening that includes a blood draw and physical examination. If deemed eligible for the study, participants will undergo a baseline visit within 2 weeks of screening visit that includes physical examination, exercise testing, echocardiography and completion of quality-of-life surveys. Participants will also be randomized at this visit (randomly assigned to a group) to receive either LoDoCo or placebo (inactive substance) for 3 months. Participants will be called back at 3 months for repeat physical examination, blood draws, echocardiography, exercise testing and completion of quality-of-life surveys. Each visit will take about 3 hours. Total study duration is about 3 months.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Lajjaben.Patel@UTSouthwestern.edu
• 1. Informed consent was obtained before any study-related activities. Study-related activities are any procedures that are carried out as part of the study, including activities to determine suitability for the study.
• Age 50 years or above at the time of signing the informed consent. 3. Serum hs-CRP 2 mg/L at the time of baseline testing. 4. Diagnosis of chronic HFpEF within 6 months of enrolment must have one of the following: a. Structural Heart Disease with one of the following on echocardiography within 12 months of enrolment. i. LA volume index > 34 ml/m2. ii. LA diameter ≥ 3.8 cm. iii. LA length ≥ 5.0 cm. iv. LA area ≥ 20 cm2. v. LA volume ≥ 55 mL. vi. Intraventricular septal thickness ≥1.1 cm. vii. Posterior wall thickness ≥1.1 cm. viii. LV mass index ≥115 g∕m2 in men or ≥ 95 g∕m2 in women. ix. E/e' (mean septal and lateral) ≥ 10. x. e' (mean septal and lateral) < 9 cm/s b. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) at rest³15 mmHg or Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) ³18 mmHg, (PCWP) with exercise ³25 mmHg or (³ 2 mmHg/L/min) c. HF hospitalization or urgent/unplanned visit with a primary diagnosis of decompensated heart failure which required intravenous loop diuretic treatment, within the last 9 months prior to enrolment in combination with NT-proBNP ≥ 125 pg/mL within 1 month of enrolment for patients without ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter. If ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter at screening NT-proBNP must be ≥ 300 pg/mL 5. Ambulatory participants who can perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 6. Stable doses of HF-specific medications within the last 1 month.
• Stable level of physical activity 8. Stable dose of any weight loss medications.
• 1. Do not otherwise meet the inclusion criteria. 2. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or may be considering pregnancy during the study period.
• Renal impairment: eGFR <30mL/min 4. Severe valvular heart disease is considered likely to require intervention. 5. Life expectancy <1 year. 6. Unable to perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 7. ALT or AST >2.5 ULN at time of screening
A Research Study to Look at How Ziltivekimab Works Compared to Placebo in People With Heart Failure and Inflammation (HERMES)
This study will be done to see if ziltivekimab can be used to treat people living with heart failure and inflammation. Participants will either get ziltivekimab or placebo. The study is expected to last for up to 4 years. Participants will have up to 20 clinic visits. Participants will have to use a study app on their phone to record and share information about all their injections of study medicine and to fill in questionnaires.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Daniel.Ayodele@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) greater than equal to 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L) at screening (visit 1) Disease specific - cardiovascular
• At least one of the following:
• N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) greater than equal to 300 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) at screening (Visit 1) for patients without ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter. If ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter at screening (visit 1), NTproBNP must be greater than equal to 600 pg/mL.
• Hospitalisation or urgent/unplanned visit with a primary diagnosis of decompensated heart failure which required intravenous loop diuretic treatment, within the last 9 months prior to screening (visit 1) in combination with NT-proBNP greater than equal to 200 pg/mL at screening (Visit 1) for patients without ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter. If ongoing atrial fibrillation/flutter at screening (visit 1), NT-proBNP must be greater than equal to 600 pg/mL.
• Diagnosis of heart failure (New York Heart Association [classification] [NYHA] Class II-IV).
• Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than 40 percentage (%) documented by echocardiography within 12 months prior to or at screening (visit 1). The LVEF must be documented in medical records and the most recent measurement must be used to determine eligibility with no interim event signalling potential deterioration in ejection fraction (e.g., myocardial infarction [MI] or heart failure [HF] hospitalisation).
• Structural heart disease and/or functional heart disease documented by echocardiography within 12 months prior to or at screening (visit 1) showing at least one of the following:
• Left atrial (LA) volume index greater than 34 milliliter per meter square (mL/m^2).
• LA diameter greater than equal to 3.8 centimeter (cm).
• LA length greater than equal to 5.0 cm.
• LA area greater than equal to 20 cm square.
• LA volume greater than equal to 55 milliters (mL).
• Intraventricular septal thickness greater than equal to 1.1 cm.
• Posterior wall thickness greater than equal to 1.1 cm.
• Left ventricular (LV) mass index greater than equal to 115 grams per meter square (g⁄m^2 ) in men or greater than equal to 95 g⁄m^2 in women.
• E/e' (mean septal and lateral) greater than equal to 10.
• e' (mean septal and lateral) less than 9 centimeter per second (cm/s).
• No heart failure hospitalisations or urgent heart failure visits between screening (visit 1) and randomisation (visit 2).
• Myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina pectoris, transient ischaemic attack, or heart failure hospitalisation, within 30 days prior to screening (visit 1).
• Systolic blood pressure greater than equal to 180 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) at screening (visit 1). If the systolic blood pressure is 160-179 mmHg, the patient should be receiving greater than equal to 3 antihypertensive drugs. (Note: Potential participants may be retested for this criterion within the visit window and without rescreening, at the discretion of the investigator).
• Heart rate above 110 or below 40 beats per minute as evaluated on the electrocardiogram (ECG) performed at screening (visit 1) (Note: Potential participants may be retested for this criterion within the visit window and without rescreening, at the discretion of the investigator).
• Planned coronary, carotid or peripheral artery revascularisation known during the screening period (visit 1). (Note: Planned coronary angiogram is not exclusionary).
• Planned cardiac device or atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation ablation procedure known during the screening period (visit 1).
• Major cardiac surgical, non-cardiac surgical, or major endoscopic procedure (thoracoscopic or laparoscopic) within the past 60 days prior to randomisation (visit 2) or any major surgical procedure planned at the time of randomisation (visit 2).
• Heart failure due to infiltrative cardiomyopathy (e.g., sarcoid, amyloid), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, Takutsubo cardiomyopathy, genetic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or obstructive cardiomyopathy, active myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, cardiac tamponade, uncorrected more than moderate primary valve disease.
• Primary pulmonary hypertension, chronic pulmonary embolism, severe pulmonary disease including COPD.
• Any other condition judged by the investigator that could account for heart failure symptoms and signs (e.g., anaemia, hypothyroidism). Medical conditions - infections/immunosuppression
• Clinical evidence of, or suspicion of, active infection at the discretion of the investigator.
Cognitive Outcomes of Brain Stimulation As a Later-in-Life Treatment (COBALT)
This is a pilot study being done to attempt to improve episodic memory problems in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. The pre-supplemental motor area (preSMA) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) have been shown to play a role in episodic memory and language retrieval. Prior studies have suggested that neurostimulation targeting this region can improve episodic memory and word recall. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) to the preSMA/dACC region and its influence on word retrieval and other cognitive functions in patients with MCI or dementia. Entraining the preSMA/dACC circuit with 10 sessions of HD-tDCS will allow us to study whether neurostimulation may be an effective treatment.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Hannah.Cabrera@UTSouthwestern.edu
Furoscix in Heart Failure Patients With Diuretic Resistance (RESISTANCE-HF)
This will be a randomized, open-label pilot study of 70 patients with and without diuretic resistance who were recently admitted and discharged for acute decompensated heart failure with and oral diuretic regimen testing whether Furoscix is more effective at achieving post-discharge outpatient diuresis than standard of care. Diuretic resistance will be identified using the BAN-ADHF (BUN, creAtinine, NP-levels, Age, Diabetes and DBP, HF hospitalization, and atrial Fibrillation) score which has been integrated into the electronic health record. The score is integer-based with a score of > 11 indicating diuretic resistance with high likelihood of poor outcomes. The primary outcome is diuretic efficacy as measured by volume of urine produced 8 hours after treatment and urine sodium levels (assessed hourly or per urination episode within 8 hours of treatment).
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Neil.Keshvani@UTSouthwestern.edu
• English speaking patients discharged after ward hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure with admission NT-proBNP >1000
• Able to be screened and enrolled within 14 days of hospitalization
• Recent echocardiogram (6 months or less)
• Discharged with home diuretic regimen
• Chronic kidney disease stage 5 (GFR<15) or End Stage Kidney Disease
• Systolic blood pressure <100
• ICU hospitalization within 3 months
• Inotrope use within last 3 months
• Home inotropes
• Electrolyte abnormalities on discharge
• Inadequate data for BAN-ADHF score
• Pregnant
• Prior heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device
• Low-output heart failure
• Concurrent use of non-loop diuretic
• Advanced liver disease
• Severe malnutrition
• Skin/Soft tissue condition precluding Furoscix
• Inability to collect urine
The Expander-2 Trial: A Randomized Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the Urocross(TM) Expander System and Retrieval Sheath
To demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the Urocross Expander System/Retrieval Sheath and the procedure to treat patients with symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Phillip.McDuffie@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Subject has signed an informed consent form (ICF).
• Men ≥ 45 years.
• Symptomatic BPH with the following (all must be met):
• IPSS ≥ 13.
• Qmax ≤ 12 mL/sec on a voided volume of ≥ 125 mL.
• PVR < 250 mL.
• Prostate volume 30-80 cc.
• Subjects must be willing to be off their BPH-related medications from time of enrollment and throughout the study. Note: All subjects on BPH-related medications must start a washout period prior to randomization on the procedure day.
• Previous BPH procedure intended to disobstruct the bladder outlet.
• Obstructive protruding (mobile) middle (median) prostatic lobe.
• High bladder neck.
• Urethral stricture, meatal stenosis, or bladder neck contraction - either current, or recurrent requiring 2 or more dilatations.
• Biopsy of the prostate within past 8 weeks.
• Confirmed or suspected bladder cancer.
• Confirmed or suspected prostate cancer. Note: Subjects with suspected prostate cancer with a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level > 2.5 ng/mL and ≤ 10 ng/mL with their free PSA < 25% of total PSA, must undergo a biopsy to rule out the diagnosis of prostate cancer. If biopsy is performed, and subject has no cancer, a waiting period of 8 weeks is required prior to randomization (see exclusion criterion 7).
• History of cystolithiasis, kidney stone, or kidney disease within the prior 3 months.
• History of neurogenic bladder.
• Parkinson's disease or other neurologic disease known to impact bladder function (e.g., stroke, TIA, multiple sclerosis).
• Previous episode of Acute Urinary Retention (AUR) i.e., post hernia repair or other condition or disease that might cause urinary retention.
• Serum creatinine > 1.8 mg/dl or renal dysfunction attributed to bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).
• Concomitant Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (subject can be enrolled following successful treatment of UTI and a negative urine culture), or subjects who have a history of recurrent or chronic UTIs (defined as 2 or more UTIs in the past 12 months).
• Active infection including acute bacterial prostatitis.
• Previous pelvic irradiation or radical pelvic surgery.
Impact of Intensive Treatment of SBP on Brain Perfusion, Amyloid, and Tau (IPAT Study) (IPAT)
The purpose of this study is to determine if intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure (SBP), using FDA approved medications (antihypertensive), reduces Alzheimer's Disease pathology (i.e., excessive brain amyloid and tau protein deposition) in older adults at high risk for memory decline or dementia.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, TristynHall@texashealth.org
• Age 60-85, all races/ethnicities, and both sexes are eligible;
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) ≥ 26 to exclude gross dementia; based on clinical judgment, may be rescreened in ≥ 7 days;
• Individuals with SBP ≥ 130 and SBP ≤ 180 if on 0 or 1 antihypertensive medications; ≥130 and ≤170 on up to 2 medications; ≥130 and ≤160 on up to 3 medications; ≥130 and ≤150 on up to 4 medications. Those on antihypertensives are eligible. If an individual, not treated for hypertension (HTN), has a SBP ≥ 125 mmHg, consider rescreening after 24 hours;
• Willingness to be randomized into the treatment groups and ability to return to clinic for follow-up visits over 24 months;
• Fluency in English or Spanish or both, adequate visual and auditory acuity to allow neuropsychological testing;
• Participants must have a regular healthcare provider.
• Clinically documented history of stroke, focal neurological signs or other major cerebrovascular diseases based on clinical judgment or MRI/CT scans such as evidence of infection, infarction, or other brain lesions;
• Diagnosis of AD or other type of dementia, or significant neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's disease, seizure disorder, multiple sclerosis, history of severe head trauma or normal pressure hydrocephalus;
• Evidence of severe major depression (GDS ≥ 12, may be rescreened after 12 weeks or longer if evidence of reactive depression or temporary mood disturbances) or clinically significant psychopathology, (e.g., psychosis and schizophrenia); if hospitalized in past year, can be rescreened in 6 months; or presence of a major psychiatric disorder that in the investigator's opinion, could interfere with adherence to research assessments or procedures.
• Unstable heart disease based on clinical judgment (e.g., heart attack/cardiac arrest, cardiac bypass procedures within previous 6 months and congestive heart failure), or other severe medical conditions;
• History of atrial fibrillation and evidence on ECG with any of the following: active symptoms of persistent palpitation, dizziness, history of syncope, chest pain, dyspnea, orthopnea, shortness of breath at rest, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea within the past 6 months; resting heart rate of < 30 or > 110 bpm; taking class I or III antiarrhythmic drugs including flecainide, propafenone, dronedarone, sotalol, dofetilide, and amiodarone; or clinical concerns for safely participating in lowering blood pressure.
• Systolic BP equal or greater than 180 mmHg and/or diastolic BP equal or greater than 110 mmHg, may be rescreened in 1 week.
• Orthostatic hypotension, defined as the third standing SBP < 100mmHg, may be rescreened after 2 weeks;
• History of significant autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia rheumatica;
• Significant history of alcoholism or drug abuse within the last five years;
• Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, defined as hemoglobin A1C > 7.5%, or requiring insulin treatment;
• Regularly smoking cigarettes within the past year;
• Pacemaker or other medical device of metal that precludes performing MRI;
• Women with a potential for pregnancy, lactation/childbearing (2 year post-menopausal or surgically sterile to be considered not childbearing potential);
• Participant enrolled in another investigational drug or device study, either currently or within the past 2 months;
• Severe obesity with BMI > 40 ; clinical judgment should be applied in all cases to assess patient safety and anticipated compliance;
• Allergy to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), i.e., drugs that have a suffix "-sartan"; allergy to amlodipine;
• Abnormal screening laboratory tests (e.g., liver ALT and AST > 3 x ULN, GFR < 30 or Hct < 28%); may be rescreened after 2 weeks or longer;
• A medical condition likely to limit survival to less than 3 years;
• Participant has any condition(s) judged by the study investigator to be medically inappropriate, risky or likely to cause poor study compliance. For example:
• Plans to move outside the clinic catchment area in the next 2 years;
• Significant concerns about participation in the study from spouse, significant other, or family members;
• Lack of support from primary health care provider;
• Residence too far from the study clinic site such that transportation is a barrier including persons who require transportation assistance provided by the study clinic funds for screening or randomization visits;
• Residence in a nursing home; persons residing in an assisted living or retirement community are eligible if they meet the other criteria;
• Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that, in the judgment of the site PI or clinician, may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the study Protocol.
• Couples or significant partners who live together cannot be enrolled or participate simultaneously in the study.
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
The research objective of this study is to examine the efficacy of HD-tDCS to the preSMA/DACC region and its influence on verbal episodic memory in patients with MCI or dementia after 10 sessions of HD-tDCS. There will be three treatment arms: two active HD-tDCS (1 mA or 2 mA) and a sham group. A verbal episodic memory task will be completed at baseline, immediately following the last HD-tDCS session, and a 2-month follow-up.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Hannah.Cabrera@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Age 50 and older
• Fluent in English
• Active diagnosis of MCI or dementia
• Substance use disorder
• Has metal fragments in head
• Taking medications that may interact with the HD-tDCS effect (i.e., amphetamines, L-dopa, carbamazepine, sulpiride, pergolide, lorazepam, dextromethorphan, D-cycloserine, flunarizine, or ropinirole)
Modulation of SERCA2a of Intra-myocytic Calcium Trafficking in Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction (MUSIC-HFrEF1)
It is believed that targeted SERCA2a enzyme replacement in HFrEF patients will correct defective intracellular Ca2+ hemostasis, resulting in improved cardiac contractile function and energetics which will, in turn, translate to improved clinical outcomes. Additionally, it is hypothesized that correcting SERCA2a dysfunction will also improve coronary blood flow through correction of the impaired endothelium-dependent nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation observed in heart failure.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Therese.Vallina@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Chronic ischemic or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
• NYHA class III/IV
• LVEF ≤35%
• Guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure; ICD Main
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, acute myocarditis, pericardial disease, amyloidosis, infiltrative cardiomyopathy, uncorrected thyroid disease or discrete left ventricular (LV) aneurysm
• Prior heart transplantation, left ventricular reduction surgery (LVRS), cardiomyoplasty, passive restraint device (e.g., CorCap™ Cardiac Support Device), mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) or cardiac shunt
• Likely to receive cardiac resynchronization therapy, cardiomyoplasty, LVRS, conventional revascularization procedure or valvular repair in the 6 months following treatment
• Likely need for an immediate heart transplant or MCSD implant due to hemodynamic instability
• Inadequate hepatic and renal function
• Diagnosis of, or treatment for, any cancer within the last 5 years except for basal cell carcinoma or carcinomas in situ where surgical excision was considered curative
Polypill Strategy for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction
Heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) represents a significant public health burden in the United States, with a growing prevalence particularly among African Americans and Hispanic Americans and individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES). Although effective therapies exist, gaps in their uptake contribute substantially to the excess burden of heart failure. The "polypill" is an inexpensive once daily pill containing three agents proven to improve morbidity and mortality in heart failure and represents potential strategy for increasing the utilization of proven HF therapies. The proposed study is a pragmatic, single-center, randomized trial to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a polypill-based strategy for the treatment of HFrEF in a low-income, racially diverse population.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Sujitha.Vasireddy@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Adults age > = 18 years
• HF with left ventricular ejection fraction <= 40% within 3 months of screening who are not on optimal guideline directed medical therapy
• New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV symptoms
• Age < 18
• Systolic blood pressure < 110 mm Hg at enrollment if not on HTN therapy.
• Systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg at enrollment if on HTN therapy
• Serum creatinine >2.5 for men and 2.0 for women
• Serum potassium > 5.0 mEq/L
• Current need for inotropes
• Cardiac index < 2.2 L/min/m2
• History of revascularization within 30 days or plan for revascularization
• History of type 1 diabetes mellitus
• History of allergic reaction or contraindication to a beta-blocker (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), or sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i)
• Contraindication to receive any of the components of the polypill
• Pregnancy
• < 12 month expected survival
• Inability to provide written informed consent
• Persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation who may not have optimal MRI imaging
• Extreme obesity (BMI > 45 kg/m2)
• ICD/Pacemaker devices that are incompatible with MRI
Comparing UroLift Experience Against Rezūm (CLEAR)
C.L.E.A.R. Study is poised to compare the patient experience post procedure, including catheterization needs as well as retreatment and BPH medication rates following treatment with either the UroLift® System or Rezūm™ System through 12 months.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Phillip.McDuffie@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Male gender
• Age ≥ 50 years
• Diagnosis of symptomatic BPH
• Prostate volume 30cm3 ≤ 80cm3
• Willing to sign study informed consent form
• Current urinary tract infection
• Current catheter dependent urinary retention or PVR >= 500 mL
• Urethra conditions that may prevent insertion of delivery system into bladder
• Previous BPH surgical procedure
• Urinary incontinence presumed due to incompetent sphincter
• Current gross hematuria
• Patients with a urinary sphincter implant
• Patients who have a penile prosthesis
• Currently enrolled in any other investigational clinical research trial that has not completed the primary endpoint
Pragmatic Evaluation of Events And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in Older Adults (PREVENTABLE)
PREVENTABLE is a multi-center, randomized, parallel group, placebo-controlled superiority study. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to atorvastatin 40 mg or placebo. This large study conducted in community-dwelling older adults without cardiovascular disease (CVD) or dementia will demonstrate the benefit of statins for reducing the primary composite of death, dementia, and persistent disability and secondary composites including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cardiovascular events.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Gentina.Thompson@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Community-dwelling adults
• Age ≥75 years
• English or Spanish as primary language
• Clinically evident cardiovascular disease defined as prior myocardial Infarction (MI), prior stroke, prior revascularization procedure, or a secondary prevention indication for a statin (clinician determined)
• Hospitalization for a primary diagnosis of heart failure in the prior 12 months (Note: History of heart failure in the absence of recent hospitalization or clinically evident cardiovascular disease is not an exclusion)
• Dementia (clinically evident or previously diagnosed)
• Dependence in any Katz Basic Activities of Daily Living [ADL] (with the exception of urinary or bowel continence)
• Severe hearing impairment (preventing phone follow up)
• Unable to talk (preventing phone follow up)
• Severe visual impairment (preventing cognitive testing)
• Statin use in the past year or for longer than 5 years previously (participant reported)
• Ineligible to take atorvastatin 40 mg (clinician determined)
• Documented intolerance to statins
• Active Liver Disease
• Long-term use of daily colchicine, verapamil at any dose, or diltiazem at a dose >240mg/day.
ExAblate Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) Disruption for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the ExAblate Model 4000 Type 2.0 System as a tool to disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in patients with probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD).
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Vida.Rhodes@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Male or Female between 50-85 years of age
• Probable Alzheimer's Disease (AD)
• If taking concurrent Alzheimer's medication, has been on the medication for at least 2 months with a stable dose for at least 3 months
• Able to communicate sensations during the ExAblate MRgFUS procedure
• Ambulatory
• MRI Findings
• Presence of unknown or MR unsafe devices anywhere in the body
• Significant cardiac disease or unstable hemodynamic status
• Relative contraindications to ultrasound contrast agent or PET amyloid tracer
• History of a bleeding disorder
• History of liver disease
• Known cerebral or systemic vasculopathy
• Significant depression and at potential risk of suicide
• Any contraindications to MRI scanning
• Any contraindication to lumbar puncture for collection of cerebral spinal fluid
• Untreated, uncontrolled sleep apnea
• History of seizure disorder or epilepsy
• Severely Impaired renal function
• Currently in a clinical trial involving an investigational product or non-approved use of a drug or device or in any other type of medical research
• Chronic pulmonary disorders
• Positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Known apolipoprotein E allele (ApoE4) homozygosity
Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease (LOAD)
The goal of this study is to is to focus on the genetic influences on Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk. The investigators are looking for families and/or individuals (affected or unaffected) of any ethic background (African American, Caucasian, and Hispanics) with a family history of AD and willing to participate.
Call 214-648-5005
studyfinder@utsouthwestern.edu, Meghan.Leak@UTSouthwestern.edu
• Established diagnosis of definite or probable AD or have a diagnosis of a related neurodegenerative disorder such as Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) or Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) (will also recruit sporadic FTD and LBD) cases.
• a living sibling with probable or possible AD;
• a third living relative affected with AD (onset age 50 or older) or unaffected (60 or older);
• participants in the proband's generation with an identified companion serving as an informant;
• participants who have capacity to consent or participants lacking capacity to consent with a surrogate/proxy in place to provide consent.
• failure to identify an appropriate informant;
• uncertainty of the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other related disorder;
• discovery of additional diagnosis that could account for the clinical manifestations;
• unwillingness to participate;
• failure to identify a living sibling with AD or other related disorder (except in the cases of sporadic FTD and sporadic LBD);
• participants lacking the capacity to consent who do not have a surrogate or proxy or next of kin to provide consent.