New Clinical Research Study: Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease

New Clinical Research Study: Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease

 

What is the REVEAL-SCAN Study?

Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease – the Study of Communicating Amyloid Neuroimaging” study (REVEAL-SCAN for short) is a clinical research study enrolling people ages 65 to 80 who have normal cognition and a family history of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia in a parent or sibling.

The purpose of the REVEAL-SCAN study is to understand how people respond to learning their risk of developing AD and the result of their amyloid brain imaging results.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Studies have shown changes in the brain happen many years before a person shows the symptoms of AD dementia. One of these changes is the buildup of a protein called “amyloid,” which scientists believe may play a key role in the later development of Alzheimer’s disease dementia.

All participants in the REVEAL-SCAN Study will learn the results of two tests:

  • A brain scan that measures amyloid
  • An individual risk estimate for developing Alzheimer’s disease dementia by age 85 based on their current age, race, gender, and family history.

Half of the participants learn these two results at the start of the study, and the other half will learn their amyloid brain scan results at the end of the study. Participants are randomly assigned to one of these two groups.
Understanding how people respond to learning their risk of developing AD dementia and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) scan results will help researchers design better treatment studies in the future.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

 You may participate if you:

  • Are 65 to 80 years old
  • Speak and read English
  • Have normal thinking and memory capabilities
  • Have at least one first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s disease (parent or sibling)
  • Have a close friend or family member willing to answer questions and attend a study visit
  • Are willing to give a cheek swab sample to check for genetic markers
  • Are willing to undergo randomized amyloid imaging disclosure

What Happens in the Study?

The study involves 5 phone interviews and up to 7 in-person visits over a 9-month period. Participation includes:

  • Testing your memory and thinking, assessing your mood and well being, and asking you about your medical history, as well as your habits, behaviors, and attitudes
  • A cheek swab sample
  • Completing written surveys in-person and by mail

Why Should I Participate?

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about amyloid, and take part in an educational session that addresses questions such as:

  • What does it mean to have an “elevated” or “not elevated” level of amyloid in my brain scan?
  • What is my risk of developing AD dementia?

 

Will I Be Paid?

Participants will be paid $200 if they complete the study. They will be compensated at the conclusion of their study participation. If they do not complete the study visits/procedures, they will receive partial payment for the portion(s) of the study visits/procedures they have completed, if applicable.
Reasonable costs of travel to and from study visits at Brigham and Women’s Hospital will also be covered by the REVEAL-SCAN Study. If participants are driving to study visits, valet parking is provided at no cost.

How Do I Find Out More About the Study?

You can visit www.genomes2people.org/revealscanproject/ for a summary of REVEAL-SCAN and a downloadable brochure that describes the study in greater detail.

 Please contact Sheila Sutti, MS, CGC – Project Manager for the REVEAL-SCAN Study:

Phone: 617-264-5889
Email: revealscan@partners.org

The Principal Investigator for the REVEAL-SCAN Study is Robert C. Green, MD, MPH.