What is the MVP study?

This five year observational study looks to determine the relationship between cardiovascular factors and Alzheimer's disease risk factors during middle age. You can check out our flyer for the study here.

If you are interested in participating please call 404-727-0126 to complete a phone screening

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Who is included in the MVP study?

This study is recruiting middle aged adults between the ages of 45 and 65 years. 

To be eligible for the study, you must meet the following criteria:

• Age 45-85 years
• Have a diagnosis of diagnosis of heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• Self-reported normal cognition, subjective memory complaints, or diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) - participants must be able to consent for themselves
• Score of ≥ 15 on telephone Mini Mental Status Exam (brief cognitive test completed during phone screen)
• Willing to undergo all study procedures
• Willing to fast for eight hours

You may NOT be eligible if you meet these criteria:

• Currently in another investigational drug study
• Unable to undergo an LP  for medical reasons (blood thinner, some spine abnormalities, etc.)
• Residence in a skilled nursing facility
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Any systemic illness or medical condition which would cause difficulty complying with study procedures or consenting for oneself
• Significant neurological disease, stroke, TBI, or history of significant head trauma
• Untreated Major Depression within 2 years of study enrollment
• History of alcohol or substance abuse or dependence

What is involved?

If you participate in this research you will attend 3 to 5 study visits over the course of two years. These visits can be anywhere from 3 to 5 hours long. Some procedures will require that you fast for 8 or more hours prior.

Procedures that will occur at these visits include:

• Cognitive (memory) testing
• Medical and health related questionnaires
• Blood samples
• Lumbar puncture (if you have questions about this procedure, please go here
• Pulse Wave Velocity (aka Vascular Ultrasound)

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​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 and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers and cognitive function in middle-aged adults with left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic heart failure, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. 

This study will examine Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in a previously unstudied group at risk for changes in brain health based on shared pathologic pathways. By establishing a target group and solidifying measures for future intervention, this study could lead to identification of an important but previously overlooked risk group for which specific interventions could be developed. Based on preliminary data, disruption of the protective blood brain barrier, a known consequence of cardiovascular disease, may relate to the development of pre-clinical Alzheimer's disease.

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 HFpEF 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.
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Study Locations

This study is being conducted at Emory University

Emory University School of Nursing - Plaza Level
1520 Clifton Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30329

Funding Information

This grant is funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a division of the National Institute of Health. It has a funding period of five years.