Find a Study
The FTD Disorders Registry helps to support clinical trials in all forms of frontotemporal degeneration, including:
- Behavioral variant frontotemporal degeneration (dementia) (bvFTD)
- Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA)
- Nonfluent/agrammatic variant PPA (naPPA)
- Logopenic variant PPA (lvPPA)
- Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)
- Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) / corticobasal syndrome (CBS)
- Frontotemporal degeneration with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS)
Current Studies
Observational Studies (Natural History or Longitudinal)
The Frontotemporal Degeneration Centerand the Linguistic Data Consortium at the University of Pennsylvania are working to develop simple, easy, and effective ways to track neurocognitive health through short interactions with a web app. You can help us create a large open dataset, which researchers all over the world will use to create and test automated methods to track neurocognitive health.
Today, diagnosing neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s Disease or Frontotemporal Degeneration depends on someone scoring below a low threshold on clinically administered tests, which often means that they’ve been suffering from the disease for some time. Often the time to diagnosis can be a decade or more if you live remotely or the condition has an uncommon clinical presentation. Easy and reliable tracking over time, including remote monitoring, will let us identify early changes and allow more timely diagnosis, and to see how neurocognitive health changes over time. The same methods will support large-scale evaluation of interventions, whether those are medications or lifestyle changes.
This project is not just aimed at participants with cognitive impairment, or even at elderly people — we need all ages and backgrounds and conditions. The tasks involve oral descriptions of two pictured scenes, and naming as many words as you can in a minute that are from a target category. We will publish an anonymized version of the data for use by research groups worldwide.
To participate in the first step of this project, which should take less than five minutes of your time, click here.
Have you recently had difficulties with planning, organizing, or solving problems? Changes in personality or mood that affect your daily life? Problems managing or completing task you’ve done before? If you are between the ages of 40 and 64, and are concerned about your thinking or memory ability, the BEYONDD study might be right for you. Volunteers from diverse populations (Latinx/Hispanic, Black/African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native) are needed to help researchers improve brain health in these groups.
BEYONDD is a diverse team of doctors, scientists, and other researchers, working together to bring diversity and inclusion to early onset dementia (EOD) research by reaching out to adults from diverse populations. EOD impacts people at the peak of life. It changes the way people think, act, talk, and behave. Little is known about EOD in diverse populations.
Join the study looking to lower the health disparities in the U.S. and make sure that people of all races are included in finding new ways to treat EOD. Study volunteers get some amazing perks. You’ll get to work with world-renowned experts and learn more about your own health. You’ll have access to digital tests of thinking and memory, clinical laboratory tests, and feedback from the clinical team – all from the comfort of your own home. If you are able and willing to come into one of BEYONDD’s expert centers after completing the online study, you can access a one-on-one session with a BEYONDD doctor and brain scans. Even better, it’s all at no cost to you.
For more information, visit www.beyonddproject.org or call us at 1 (866)-7MYMIND.
This study is enrolling children and young adults from families with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) caused by genetic variants. For FTD, these include MAPT, GRN, and C9orf72.
The purpose of this study is to better understand brain development in families with dementia. Brain development in persons from genetic FTD and AD families will also be compared to persons from neurodiverse populations.
Participation involves a 2- to 3-day visit to the University of California, San Francisco. This visit includes clinical and cognitive evaluation, MRI brain scan, emotions testing, questionnaires, and a saliva sample for genetic testing. Participants and their family members will not learn their mutation status.
Participants must be between 7 and 17 years old (young adults up to 25 may be eligible), have a biological family member with genetic FTD or AD, and have a study partner who can accompany them.
Travel, lodging, and meals will be reimbursed; and monetary compensation for the study will be provided.
Target enrollment is 190 participants.
This online study is being conducted by the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center to learn more about changes in decision-making in family members of patients with genetic forms of FTD.
It compares decision-making in family members who have these genes to family members who don’t have these genes.
You are eligible to take part in this study if you are a family member of a patient with a genetic form of FTD that is enrolled in the ARTFL-LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD) Study, and you yourself do not have a diagnosis of dementia.
The Alzheimer Disease Related Dementia studies at the University of Miami are looking for participants to better understand the genetic factors contributing to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), especially in Hispanic, African American, and Native American populations.
Genetics helps us improve the knowledge of biology, diagnosis, and future therapies for these diseases.
Participants must be 18 years or older; have a diagnosis of FTD, PPA, or semantic dementia; and identify as Hispanic, African American, or Native American.
Participation includes interviews for family and medical history and clinical assessments, which can be done remotely in one or two visits (total about 3 hours), as well as a one-time blood draw, which can be completed at the participant's home.
Target enrollment is 100 participants.
For more information, email Anisley Martinez at FTD-HIHG@miami.edu or visit the University of Miami Frontotemporal Dementia Research webpage.
The Genetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative (GENFI) is a group of research centres across Europe and Canada with expertise in familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and is co-ordinated by Professor Jonathan Rohrer at University College London.
The aim of the study is to understand more about genetic FTD, particularly in individuals who have mutations in the progranulin (GRN), microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) and chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) genes.
GENFI investigates both people who have developed symptoms and also people who have a risk of developing symptoms in the future because they carry an abnormal genetic mutation. By studying individuals who are genetically predisposed to develop the disease later in life, we gain insights into the earliest changes in the development of the disease. The key objectives of GENFI are therefore to develop markers which help identify the disease at its earliest stage, as well as markers that allow the progression of the disease to be tracked.
The GENFI consortium currently consists of sites across the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Serbia, Turkey and Canada. See the full list of sites here.
The observational primary progressive aphasia (PPA) research program at Northwestern University seeks to study individuals living with PPA over time using neuropsychological testing and advanced imaging techniques.
Participants are asked to come to Chicago in order to help:
- understand progression in PPA and its link to brain changes,
- increase awareness of PPA and better educate patients, families, and clinicians,
- identify biomarkers that will lead to earlier diagnosis and earlier intervention.
Participants are compensated for participation and travel expenses, and meals are covered for those not local to Chicago.
For more information, please see the clinical trials.gov listing or join our registry.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic are currently enrolling patients to participate in an observational study aimed at learning more about Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech, Primary Progressive Aphasia and other related disorders. The study involves traveling to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on a yearly basis to complete tests designed to help researchers learn more about these diseases and how they affect the brain over time. Participants will see a Neurologist, Speech Language Pathologist and have imaging scans like MRI, FDG PET, Amyloid PET, Tau PET and/or Neuroinflammation PET. All of the tests and doctor visits are covered by the study.
If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Sarah Boland, CCRP at boland.sarah@mayo.edu.
Yale PET Center is studying behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) with the new synaptic density positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 18F-SynVesT-1. The new tracer binds to a protein in synapses and provides synaptic measurements in living people. By comparing this to a known PET tracer, 18F-FDG, this study seeks to provide early detection and progression of bvFTD. Participation involves one phone screening and at least three in-person visits to sites in New Haven, Connecticut. In-person visits include a screening appointment, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and up to two PET scanning sessions. The study will recruit 15 persons between the ages of 40 and 80 who have been diagnosed with bvFTD. For more information, contact Ebrahimian Sadabad, Faranak MD by email
faranak.ebrahimiansadabad@yale.edu or by phone at 203-785-5054
Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center are conducting a study to better understand and diagnose Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) in Chinese-speaking individuals. This study will develop and validate the first comprehensive Chinese Language Assessment Battery for Primary Progressive Aphasia (CLAP).
The study involves comprehensive language assessments, brain imaging (MRI), cognitive testing, and blood sample collection. Some participants will be asked to return for follow-up assessments to track changes over time. This research will help improve diagnosis and care for Chinese-speaking individuals with PPA, a group that has been historically underrepresented in medical research.
Who may be eligible to participate?
· Must be a native Chinese speaker
· Must be diagnosed with PPA/FTD OR be a healthy volunteer
Participants will undergo:
· Specialized Chinese language assessments (available in both Mandarin and Cantonese)
· Brain imaging (MRI)
· Cognitive testing
· Blood sample collection
· Optional follow-up visits over the five-year study period
Travel and accommodation costs will be covered for both the participant and one companion.
Note: Assessments are also available in English, Spanish, and Tagalog for multilingual participants.
For more information, please contact: (415) 514-6543 | kassey.chang@ucsf.edu
The purpose of this research program is to develop a better understanding of the causes and natural course of FTD and related neurodegenerative diseases by creating a large collection of different types of data. These diseases cause damage to brain cells (neurons), and they slowly worsen over time. They may cause problems with thinking, memory, movement, language, and behavior. The data and samples collected in this study are analyzed for several ongoing NIH funded studies and will be stored securely for future use.
Participation in research has an enormous impact on advancing the clinical care for FTD and related disorders, The data and biological samples collected allow us to study the biology of FTD and related disorders over time and contributes to improving diagnosis, developing new markers of prognosis, and discovering therapeutic targets that can enhance and further the development of treatment trials aimed at treating the underlying biology of FTD and related disorders. We collaborate on these projects with other neurodegenerative disease centers within Penn, nationally, and internationally, and the knowledge we gain helps collaborators worldwide move the scientific understanding of disease forward to improve diagnosis and treatment for all impacted by FTD.
What am I expected to do in this study?
- Annual study visits for 3 years (if possible)
- Study activities can vary and may include:
-Lumbar puncture
-MRI (3T)
-Cognitive testing
-Neurological exam
-Speech tasks
-Blood draw
-Family history collection
-Medical history collection
-Questionnaires
For more information, contact: Emily Xie at Emily.xie@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Treatment Studies
ASPIRE-FTD is a Phase 1/2 open-label, multi-center study designed to evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of AVB-101 in patients with FTD-GRN. AVB-101 is an investigational one-time therapy designed to deliver a functional copy of the progranulin (GRN) gene directly to the brain, thereby potentially restoring progranulin levels and stopping disease progression in patients with FTD-GRN. ASPIRE-FTD is the first study of AVB-101 in humans. It aims to evaluate the safety of AVB-101 and measure its effects on progranulin levels and the symptoms of FTD.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY?
You may be eligible to participate if you meet the following criteria*:
- 30-75 years old
- Diagnosed with FTD-GRN (confirmed with a genetic test)
- Have a caregiver who is able to support you (including attending study visits) for the duration of the study (5 years and 3 months)
*Other criteria will also apply.
WHAT IS THE STUDY TREATMENT?
The study treatment in this clinical research study is AVB-101, an investigational one-time therapy designed to deliver a functional copy of the progranulin (GRN) gene directly to the brain, thereby potentially restoring progranulin levels and stopping disease progression in patients with FTD-GRN. AVB-101 is administered using a neurosurgical procedure directly to the thalamus at expert neurosurgical centers in Europe and the United States.
WHAT DOES STUDY PARTICIPATION INVOLVE?
Study participation involves visiting a clinical trial site at different points during the study for screening and follow up, and visiting an expert neurosurgical site for one-time dosing of AVB-101. Travel reimbursement for study visits will be provided.
INFORMATION ON CLINICAL SITES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Study site locations and further study details are available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06064890
You can also contact AviadoBio by email at clinicaltrials@aviadobio.com
VES001 is an experimental treatment that was designed to restore normal levels of the progranulin protein (PGRN) in the brain. The study will collect data to evaluate how safe VES001 is, as well as how well the body handles it (pharmacokinetics), what it does in the body (pharmacodynamics), and whether people can handle taking it without too many side effects (tolerability). In this phase 1 study, all participants will receive the experimental treatment.
Who is eligible?
- Men and women aged 18 to 75 years who are asymptomatic carriers of a GRN variant
- Body mass index between 18 and 32 (kg/m2), with minimum weight of 50 kg
- Using birth control during the study and for at least 90 days after the last dose
- Does not smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day and agrees not to smoke during the study period
- Does not have any known neurological disease, head trauma or loss of consciousness
- Does not have a history of cancer within the last 5 years, abnormal lab tests for infection diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and/or HIV), or any medical condition that could interfere with the study
- Does not have an abnormal ECG, abnormal heart rate or heart rhythm (e.g. atrial fibrillation), personal or family history of long QT syndrome or sudden death, untreated high or low blood pressure
- Is not currently pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant
- Does not have severe allergic reactions to medication
- Has not donated blood or had significant blood loss recently
- Does not consume excessive caffeine (more than 8 cups per day)
- Has not participated in other research studies involving study treatment or devices
Interested individuals meeting the above requirements should contact the study coordinator for additional requirements and exclusions if interested in participating.
What will happen during the study?
Healthy participants who carry a GRN variant will receive 2 doses of the experimental treatment over the 16 week participation period. During the study period, there will be 8 visits. Blood, urine will be collected throughout the study period. In addition, spinal fluid will be collected through a spinal tap at three visits. Additional evaluations including ECG and neurological exams will be conducted as well.
What are they measuring to evaluate the experimental treatment?
- Side effects and reactions to the experimental treatment
- Changes in vital signs (pulse, blood pressure)
- Changes in electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Changes in physical and neurological examination findings
- Changes in Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- Changes in the concentration of the experimental treatment and other biomarkers in blood samples and spinal fluid
How long will participants be involved in the study?
Study participants will be monitored for 16 weeks.
Researchers at several sites across Canada, led by Dr. Simon Ducharme, are conducting a study to see if a medication named nabilone, taken by mouth, can help reduce restlessness and agitation in people with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), including bvFTD and PPA. They are inviting people who are thought to have FTD and are experiencing these challenging behaviors to participate. The aim is to see if this medication can provide some calm and comfort compared to a dummy pill (placebo) that doesn’t contain any medicine.
You, or someone you care for, may be able to take part if you/they:
- Are over 18 years of age
- Have symptoms of FTD
- Experience agitation, irritability, or aggression
- Have an available study partner
- Are living in Canada
For more information about the study and research sites participating in the study, visit https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05742698?term=NCT05742698&rank=1
Nabilone has not been approved for FTD by the FDA or any other health authority.
DNL593 is an investigational treatment currently being studied as a progranulin (PGRN) replacement therapy for FTD-GRN.
The Phase 1/2 study is now actively enrolling eligible participants in the US (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) and across 29 sites globally. More information on the study site locations and criteria can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov. Individuals with questions regarding clinical studies should speak with their healthcare provider.
DNL593 is an investigational medicine and is not approved by any Health Authority. No conclusions regarding safety or efficacy can be made.
Recruiting March 2024 - March 2028
Who?
Individuals with a diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia and their Communication Partners.
Why?
Researchers at the University of Chicago - Healthy Aging & Alzheimer's Research Care Center want to develop evidence-based strategies to maximize communication participation and quality of life and minimize burden of persons with PPA and their communication partners.
Where?
All components of the study take place remotely via telehealth.
How Long?
Over the course of 18 months, participants in the study will be involved in:
- Up to 10 evaluations with a licensed speech language therapist
- Up to 25 therapy sessions with a speech language therapist
- Exercises through a web-application
There are no costs to participate in this study. Compensation will be provided.
If interested, contact the study team for more information:
- Phone: (773) 795-1111
- Email: cbtrial@uchicago.edu
- Website: haarc.center.uchicago.edu
The Gamma-Induction in FrontoTemporal Dementia (GIFTeD) Study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in FTD. Principal Investigator is Dr. Emiliano Santarnecchi at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
tACS is a safe, noninvasive way to stimulate the brain using weak electric currents. Electrodes are placed into a cap that is worn on the head. By synchronizing brain activity, tACS is aimed at increasing brain metabolism and boost cognitive performance, with the effects outlasting the stimulation period. The intervention is done 1 hour a day on weekdays for 6 weeks, for a total of 30 treatments.
There also is an in-person checkup at 3 months and a phone follow-up at 6 months. Additional tests include neuropsychological assessments, FDG-PET scans, MRI scans, EEGs, and blood draws before and after treatment.
The study seeks to enroll 50 people who have been diagnosed with behavioral FTD (bvFTD).
To be eligible, participants must be between 40 and 80 years old, stable on their medications for 30 days, and able to comply with study procedures.
There are 2 sites: Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the Santa Lucia Foundation in Rome, Italy.
For more information, contact Julianne Reilly at 617-667-9088 or jrreilly@mgh.harvard.edu or visit the study listing on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Hispanic/Latino People Living with Memory Challenges and Study Partners Needed
Researchers from Indiana University recently received funding from the American Federation for Aging Research to test whether a Green Activity Program can be done and if Hispanic/Latino people living with memory challenges enjoy it. The program was designed with people living with memory challenges who identified as Hispanic/Latino and care partners, local outdoor activity organizers, and healthcare providers. The goal of the program is to help people stay active and improve their health and well-being by participating in nature activities they enjoy.
The program is led by occupational therapist who help people do the activities they want and need to do to participate in daily life. In this study, they will work with you and a person you identify to support you in the study, called a study partner, to teach you strategies to help you safely participate in nature activities you enjoy. They will also work with you to add the activities to your daily routine.
They are currently looking for Hispanic/Latino people living with memory challenges and their study partners, to participate in this research study.
Participants living with memory challenges will complete surveys and a brief phone interview, wear an activity tracker on their thigh for two weeks, participate in an occupational therapy evaluation and a personalized green activity plan. They will also participate in 4-8 in-person program sessions in a location of their choosing, and two phone or Zoom check-ins. Total time participating is 33 hours over 17 weeks. Study partners will participate in the occupational therapy evaluation and at least one session for a minimum participation of 5.5 hours over 9 months. If you do not have a study partner, you can still participate. If you are eligible and agree to participate, you will be compensated $25 for pre and post testing for a total of $50. Learn more about eligibility and how to sign up by clicking the link below.
To be eligible, participants living with memory challenges must:
People living with memory challenges:
- 60 years or older
- Identify as Hispanic/Latino
- Have memory challenges or difficulties thinking
- Speaks Spanish or English
- T-MoCA scores 13-19
- Capacity to provide informed consent
- Have access and ability to respond to the telephone (mobile or landline)
Study partner
- 18 years or older
- Identify as Hispanic/Latino
- Speaks Spanish or English
- Identified by a person living with memory challenges as a person they feel comfortable with who they would like to join them in the study. The study partner’s participation is optional.
If you are interested in participating or to learn more, please contact Dr. Lassell at (812) 855-2395 or email at gapbronx@iu.edu. Your call will not obligate you to take part in the research study. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can change your mind at any time.
Duke University is recruiting patients with Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, concussion, traumatic brain injury, dementia, or other neurodegenerations fora study to take noninvasive pictures of the retina in your eyes.
No x-rays, no eye drops and no eye contact. Compensation for time/travel.
You may be eligible for this research study if you:
- Do not have a significant head tremor
- Are not in a wheelchair
- Have not had prior retina surgery
- Are willing to have some undilated pictures of your retina
Email iMIND@duke.edu for further details! Please feel free to forward this message to friends or family members who may be interested in participating in this study. The study visit takes 30-45 minutes. No charge to you or your insurance. The study is being conducted at the Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic, 932 Morreene Rd, Durham, NC 27705.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania are conducting a study to determine whether a form of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in combination with a naming and spelling intervention (NASP) can improve the language abilities of people with primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
tDCS uses a mild electrical current, about the same strength as a 9-volt battery, to stimulate regions of the brain from outside the head. This is performed using two small electrodes placed inside saline-soaked sponges held on the scalp using an elastic band. NASP is a speech intervention that focuses on improving oral naming and writing.
You may be eligible to participate if you are:
- 50 – 90 years old
- Right-handed
- Proficient in English
- Have aphasia due to logopenic or nonfluent Primary Progressive Aphasia
Participants will be compensated for their time and travel.
For more information, please contact the Laboratory for Cognition and Neural Stimulation at 215-964-2502 or braintms@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
The PROCLAIM study is researching the safety and effectiveness of an investigational one-time gene therapy that is designed to treat a form of FTD caused by a mutation, or change, in the gene progranulin (FTD-GRN). To be eligible to take part, you must be diagnosed with FTD-GRN, currently experiencing symptoms, and be between 30 to 80 years of age. PROCLAIM participants will receive a one-time injection of PR006 according to an escalating dose (low dose, medium dose, and high dose) cohort design. The duration of the study is 5 years. During the first year, patients will be evaluated for the effect of PR006 on safety, tolerability, immune reactions, biomarkers, and efficacy. Patient follow-up is for an additional 4 years to continue to monitor safety, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes. For more information, see the ClinicalTrials.gov listing.
This is a remote clinical trial being run by Dr. Thomas Neylan at the University of California San Francisco Memory and Aging Center.
The goal is to test the effect of 2 sleep medications on the treatment of sleep disruption in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) without the need for in-person visits to a study site.
The study uses a crossover design so that each participant will be assigned to sequentially receive 2 specific FDA-approved sleeping medications and placebo throughout the 6-week course of the study.
Participants need to have a diagnosis of PSP, live anywhere in the United States, and have an available care partner to help provide information during the interviews.
All standard study assessments will be done over the phone or Zoom, with at least 1 call every week.
Participation in this study should not hinder you from taking part in any future studies or clinical trials.
The upliFT-D Study, sponsored by Passage Bio Inc., is an interventional study investigating the safety and tolerability of a gene therapy (PBFT02) for persons with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) who have a mutation in the progranulin gene (GRN). Gene therapy aims to replace the gene that is not working properly with a version of the gene that works normally.
Participants will receive 1 dose of PBFT02. Additional assessments include blood tests, medical exams, questionnaires, brain imaging, and lumbar punctures.
There is a 2-year main commitment with a 3-year safety extension for a total of 16 visits over 5 years.
Eligible participants are
- diagnosed with FTD-GRN,
- between 35 and 75 years old,
- experience FTD symptoms,
- have a reliable study partner, and
- live in the community.
Travel reimbursement is available.
For more information, visit the study listing on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Veri-T is a phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the safety and efficacy of the drug verdiperstat in persons with semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA) due to frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP).
The study will test the effects of verdiperstat on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteins, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cognitive tests. The drug or placebo is taken orally twice a day for 24 weeks.
Monthly visits are made to a study site for 6 months. Tests are done before and after.
To be eligible you must:
- be between 18-85 years of age;
- have a svPPA diagnosis;
- be willing to undergo two lumbar punctures;
- be able to swallow pills; and
- have a study partner who spends at least 5 hours a week with you.
Target enrollment is 64 people. There will be 5 study sites across the United States. Currently, the University of California, San Francisco is recruiting.
You can learn more information on the study website or ClinicalTrials.gov.
Caregiver Studies
CAREVIRTUE PLANNER STUDY
Researchers from Indiana University in collaboration with a small business, CareVirtue, recently received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study whether a personalized legal and financial planning platform for family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is useful. They are currently looking for family caregivers to participate in this research study.
The study asks you to use CareVirtue Planner, a financial and legal planning platform that provides financial and legal planning education and support to family caregivers of people living with dementia on a laptop or desktop computer for 3 months, and to answer questions about your experience using CareVirtue Planner during and after your time using the platform. If you agree to participate, you will be compensated up to $150 and will be able to use CareVirtue Planner without cost for one year. At the end of one year, you will be able to opt into the paid version of CareVirtue.
To be eligible, participants must:
- Be a self-identified primary caregiver status for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias
- Have access to the internet and access to a laptop or desktop computer
- Be over the age of 18
If you are interested in participating or to learn more, please contact our study team led by Dr. Werner at werneriu@indiana.edu. Your email will not obligate you to take part in the research study. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can change your mind at any time.
CARE-MOVE STUDY
Drexel University is offering a unique opportunity to support your well-being through a creative and mindful approach with an online mindful movement study for dementia care partners.
Who can participate?
- Age 18 or older
- Primary caregiver for an individual with dementia
- Access to internet connectivity
Why participate?
- Enhance Self-Care and Stress Management
- Improve Mood and Well-Being
- Strengthen caregiving skills
- Connect with other care partners in a supportive environment
- Contribute to research
Program Details:
- Weekly 60-minute online sessions for 10 weeks
- Live, interactive sessions via video conferencing
- Complete surveys
- Receive $120 upon completion of the study
For more information or to join the study, please call (267) 359-5929 or email mbmresearch@drexel.edu.
The University of Colorado Multidisciplinary Center on Aging are seeking participants for a research study about caregiver perspectives.
Who is eligible to participate?
- Aged 18 or older
- Providing care to a person living with dementia or FTD
Details of the Study:
- Eligible participants who enroll in the study will be asked to answer survey questions at up to 2 time points about 1 month apart.
- Surveys take 30-45 minutes.
- Participants are eligible to receive a $25 gift card.
The survey asks about your demographics, perspective on dementia or FTD disorder care quality, and experiences as a support person for someone with dementia or an FTD disorder.
For more information, please visit www.bit.ly/CaregiverVOICE or contact: dementia.care@cuanschutz.edu or 303-724-8466.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are looking for individuals who are 50 years and older that are currently serving as an unpaid, family caregiver to an individual with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, or vascular dementia. The study will involve one virtual visit for 90 minutes and will be conducted over the internet. Compensation for study participation is available. The experiment involves completing online questionnaires/interview and computer tasks. To be eligible for the study, you must be 50 years of age or older and currently serving as an unpaid family caregiver to an individual who is 40 years of age or older with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, or vascular dementia, for 5 hours a week or more, for at least 6 months. In addition, to be eligible you should have comprehension of written and spoken English, and have completed a minimum of two years of high school or higher. You are not eligible for the study if you have a diagnosis of a neurological or psychiatric disease (e.g., stroke), history of drug abuse, vision, hearing, cognitive, or motor difficulties, or if you are currently pregnant.
For more information about the study, please contact: Naomi Adjei at the Aging Brain and Emotion Lab (402-554-5961) in the Department of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha or by email at (beadlelab@unomaha.edu)
COMPASSION COMPASS STUDY
FAMILY CAREGIVERS ONLINE SURVEY
Researchers at the University of Oregon are seeking volunteers for an anonymous online survey exploring the needs of individuals living with and caring for a family member with dementia. Participants may not benefit directly from taking the survey, but they would be contributing to research aimed at reducing difficulties associated with caregiving.
You may be eligible for this study if you:
- Are an unpaid caregiver for a family (or chosen family) member with dementia
- Have been caregiving for at least 2 months
- Live at home with the care recipient
- Are 18 years or older
Participants will:
- Complete a 30-minute survey
- Receive a $40 gift card
To learn more, please contact us at eatinglab@uoregon.edu or 541-346-7494.
Emory Caregiver Study
Dr. Emily Mroz and her team at the Frost Lab at Emory School of Nursing are seeking caregivers for people with an FTD disorder, dementia, or other memory changes to participate in in a virtual study.
Who can participate
Individuals who are:
- Over the age of 40
- Taking care of someone living with an FTD disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or memory changes
- Started providing care in the last 1-3 years
If selected, your study session will be virtual. You will complete survey questions and share stories from caregiving. Your data will be kept private and the team will share findings with you.
To learn more about participating, contact Dr. Emily Mroz at her team at Mroz.lab@emory.edu or call 404-544.9645.
LEADing End-of-Life Care Conversations
University of Utah College of Nursing is looking for pairs who would like to complete advance care planning documents and discuss their care preferences with each other.
The study lasts 20 weeks, but only takes six hours of your time.
You can participate in the comfort of your own home using your laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or Chromebook.
Participants will be paid for their time.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
This study is for pairs (2 people).
The first person has changes in their memory or is in the early stages of dementia.
If you are this person, you may be eligible to participate if:
- You are age 50+
- You are interested in having conversations about and documenting your wishes for your future care
- You have noticed changes in your memory or thinking skills OR
- You have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
The second person is the care partner, usually a spouse/partner, family member, or close friend.
If you are the care partner, you may be eligible to participate if:
- Your are the spouse/partner, family member, or close friend
- You are age 18+
- This study is conducted by Dr. Kara Dessel, University of Utah, College of Nursing.
To participate, email lead@utah.edu or visit this website.
Mayo Clinic Personalized Tool for AD/ADRD Caregivers Addressing Financial Management and Legal Planning-Phase II
The Mayo Clinic is seeking caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias.
This study is fully remote. You will participate in two virtual focus groups and complete some surveys and questionnaires that are accessible via computer.
You will be asked to:
• Complete surveys/questionnaires (20-30 minutes, before, during and after focus groups)
• Participate in 2 focus groups (2 x 2 hours each, 4 hours total)
• View and engage with a prototype website – FinLe website
• Provide informal input/feedback if requested (2-4 times, 20-30 minutes each)
If you are interested in participating, please complete this form.
Millennial Caregiver Study
Are you providing care for an older adult family member or friend?
Does that person(s) have changes in their thinking and/or memory?
Were YOU born between 1946-1964 or 1981-1996?
The University of Virginia Department of Neurology is inviting caregivers to a research study to help us better understand Millennial caregivers and how they may be different from other generations of caregivers.
The research study involves:
- Answering online questionnaires for about 1 hour (get
- $85)
Optional 90-minute focus group for some Millenials (get an additional $95)
To participate in the study go to: https://bit.ly/3xH8030
For more information, call Chris Sheehan at 434-924-9386 or email caregiving@uvahealth.org.
Spousal Caregiver Study
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is looking for participants who are spousal caregivers of partners with dementia or frontotemporal degeneration.
Criteria:
- Age 60+
- Currently a Primary Caregiver
- Has Been a Caregiver for the Past Six Months
- Speaks Fluent English
Do you find joy in helping your loved one? Or does it bring you stress? Both of these reactions are valid! The goal of this research is to examine why some spousal caregivers experience compassion fatigue while some don't.
Please click here to complete the survey.
STELLA-FTD (Support via Technology: Living and Learning with Advancing FTD)
Do you care for a family member with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD)? You may be eligible to participate in a research study that offers support, education, and resources for caregivers.
STELLA-FTD (Support via Technology: Living and Learning with Advancing FTD) is a program for family Care Partners that addresses the challenges that come with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). This study is for anyone who cares for a family member with an FTD disorder.
STELLA-FTD is a completely online study. Participation can take up to 36 weeks.
Participants will complete:
- 8 small-group videoconference visits to learn how to manage challenges that come with FTD caregiving (each visit lasts about 1 hour and will be led by professional Guides)
- a weekly review of study materials and resources; one online survey with demographic questions about the participant and their family member
- brief surveys sent by email every week
- six longer surveys during the study period about mood, coping, and family member behaviors; and (optional) a focus group.
Gift cards up to $200 may be provided for completing all study activities.
TACAD STUDY
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing is looking for research participants to help reduce the burden of caregiving on the health of Asian American midlife women family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
You May Be Eligible If You:
- Are between 40 and 65.
- Can read and write English, Mandarin Chinese, or Korean.
- Live in the United States.
- Have access to Internet.
- Are a community-dwelling family caregiver of a person living with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementia (clinical dementia rating greater than or equal to 1).
- Are providing at least 4 hours per day (on average) assistance to the person living with dementia.
Who We Are
Dr. Eun-Ok Im and her team at The University of Texas, Austin want to learn effectiveness of the newly developed program in improving health outcomes of Asian American midlife women who are family caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
About the Study
TACAD study is an online study and does not involve medication nor travel.
TACAD is Technology-based Information and Coaching/Support Program for Asian American midlife women who are family Caregivers of persons living with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Compensation
Up to $150 will be provided during this 3-month study duration.
How can I contact the research team for further information?
If you have any questions or need more information, please visit https://tacad.research.nursing.utexas.edu or contact us using email tacad.help@austin.utexas.edu or call at 512-232-2323.
PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA STUDY
Tissue Donation
Understanding of FTD has increased dramatically thanks to families who have been willing to donate tissue to research through brain donation when a loved one passes away. This is a complex and difficult decision for any family to make. If you are interested in learning more about tissue donation, please visit our Brain Donation page.
More places to Find Studies
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration posts a table with studies currently recruiting volunteers for the FTD disorders, AFTD-clinical trials listing.
- CurePSP posts listings of studies for families affected by PSP and CBS/CBD.
- Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research lists studies and can help match patients with CBD and PSP to trials using the FoxTrialFinder.
Together we can find a cure for ftd
The FTD Disorders Registry is a powerful tool in the movement to create therapies and find a cure. Together we can help change the course of the disease and put an end to FTD.
Your privacy is important! We promise to protect it. We will not share your contact information.
RESOURCES
Learn more about FTD disorders, caregiver support, and organizations that can help you and your family here.
FEATURED STUDY
upliFT-D Study
The upliFT-D Study, sponsored by Passage Bio Inc., is an interventional study investigating the safety and tolerability of a gene therapy (PBFT02) for persons with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) who have a mutation in the progranulin gene (GRN). Gene therapy aims to replace the gene that is not working properly with a version of the gene that works normally.
For more information, visit the study listing on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Other Ways to Help
Spread the Word
Ask your family and friends to join in fighting FTD/Spectrum
Learn about FTD research
Why learn about FTD