How would you respond to learning you have an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? Whom would you tell, and what would you say?
To answer these questions, Penn Memory Center and affiliated researchers are working to conduct the REVEAL-SCAN (Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease – The Study of Communicating Amyloid Neuroimaging) Study.
With the help of a PET scan, researchers can observe the buildup of amyloid in the brain. This buildup is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to understand the impact of arming individuals with their PET scan results, as well as determining the best way to communicate this sensitive information to research participants and patients in the future.
The study accepts healthy adults ages 65-80 who have no diagnosis of a memory impairment and who have a sibling or parent who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Participants must also have a study partner who can come in to at least one study visit to answer questions about the participants’ memory and functioning.
Participants will have six to seven visits over nine months in which they will receive a personalized risk assessment for Alzheimer’s disease dementia and learn the results of their amyloid PET scan. Visits consist of assessments of memory, mood, and health behaviors.
If you wish to enroll or learn more about REVEAL-SCAN please contact study coordinator Melissa Esparza at 215-662-6093 or melissa.esparza@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.