This observational study looks to determine the relationship between cardiovascular disease, cognition, immune function, and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age. You can check out our flyer for the study here.
Who is included in the CARDI study?
This study is recruiting middle-aged adults between the ages of 40 and 70 uears.
To be eligible for the study, you must meet the following criteria:
Are between the ages of 40-70 years
Have normal cognition or minor memory problems
Have been diagnosed with heart failure or cardiomyopathy
Willing to fast for eight hours
Willing to complete study procedures
Complete eligibility phone screen and brief memory screening
You may NOT be eligible if you meet these criteria:
Currently in another investigational drug study
Residence in a skilled nursing facility
Are pregnant or nursing
Significant neurological disease, such as stroke, TBI, or history of significant head trauma
What is involved?
If you participate in this research you will attend 1 study visit. These study visits can be anywhere from 3 to 4 hours long. Some procedures will require that you fast for 8 or mor hours prior.
You will also complete questionnionares for this research. These questionnaires will be sent to you via email to complete at home on your computer within a week of the study visit.
Procedures that will occur at these visits include:
Cognitive (memory) testing
Medical and health related questionnaires
Blood samples
Pulse wave velocity (aka vascular ultrasound)
Why is this research important?
Mid-life cardiovascular risk factors contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease in later life and to Alzheimer’s disease progression. More and more middle aged adults are living with cardiovascular disease, conferring an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related outcomes, such as loss of memory. This study will examine the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, immune function, markers of Alzheimer’s disease risk, and cognitive function in middle-aged adults with heart failure or cardiomyopathy.
We know that midlife hypertension is linked to Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, and middle age is the time of life when these Alzheimer's disease biomarkers begin to manifest. However this is unknown in middle-aged adults with heart failure and related cardiac disorders, a population increasing in prevalence. Findings from this study will lead to the identification of pathways that could potentially be modified by interventions with the goal of decreasing Alzheimer's disease risk.
Study Locations
This study is being conducted at Emory University
Emory University School of Nursing - Plaza Level 1520 Clifton Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30329
For more information about the CARDI study, please fill out the form below.