Current Laboratory Projects
Observational Research Studies
LifeSPAN Biobank Study
The goal of the LifeSPAN biobanking study is to establish a robust collection of samples from individuals spanning the spectrum of aging and cognition, including normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. Samples, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid, will be stored and used mainly for research on a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. We hope that this study may aid in finding disease markers to diagnose or follow different types of neurologic conditions.
We may be enrolling new participants for this study! Contact us if interested in participating.
MIND Tissue Bank
The goal of this study is to establish an extensive collection of cerebral spinal fluid and blood samples from individuals spanning the range of neurodegenerative disorders, as well as healthy individuals. These samples will be stored in our bio-bank and used for further research on neurodegenerative diseases. Our goal is to use these samples to develop a way to diagnose neurological disorders by finding their disease markers.
Enrollment is not currently open to the public for this study.
Translational Studies
Biofluid Collection for Assay Development
The goal of this study is to collect biofluids including blood and the fluid surrounding the brain to detect changes in the blood from individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Samples from healthy volunteers will help us develop tests to understand changes in Alzheimer’s disease. With this information, we will be able to track the course of Alzheimer’s disease, responses to medications, or differences in blood molecules that may be signs of the disease.
Blood Biomarker Biotemporal Stability
This study aims to assess the short-term stability of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease. By collecting blood samples from healthy subjects over the course of one month, we are able to quantify the short-term variability in biomarker levels. Understanding this baseline variability is important in determining the ultimate efficacy of the proteins as indicators of disease.
Enrollment for this study is closed.
CMP3 CSF Multiple PathoPhysiology Panel
The CMP3 panel is a highly curated, novel collection of commercially available ELISA kits that accurately quantify proteins related to biological pathways that are often associated with Alzheimer’s Disease such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism. We aim to use this panel to classify individuals and direct them towards appropriate clinical trials, and to directly monitor how effectively the treatment is targeted. You can read Bianca’s paper on the development of the CMP3 here: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0193707
MADRC Biomarker Core
As the MADRC biomarker core, ACTRU collects, stores, and distributes biofluids from subjects who have consented to donation for research use. The MADRC biomarker core performs routine quantification of core Alzheimer’s Disease markers (Ab42, total Tau, and pT181 Tau) in all collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and is developing ultra-sensitive methods for their quantification in plasma. In addition to these central functions, ACTRU advises researchers on all aspects of biofluid research from sample collection to sample analysis and is building biomarker panels that assess other biological pathways affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.