Research at Penn Memory Center

Research is a core mission of the Penn Memory Center. Our studies aim to improve the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and overall brain health.

We welcome the involvement of older adults with and without memory concerns.

Enroll in the PMC Brain Health Research Registry

Find the best study fit for you

Learn more about participating in Alzheimer’s research and related clinical trials at Alzheimers.gov.

Currently Enrolling

ATM Study

The Anti-Amyloid Therapy Monitoring (ATM) study aims to identify measures to help monitor patients’ responses to anti-amyloid therapy. The goal is to develop measures that identify who these therapies work best for and who might be at a higher risk of experiencing side effects.

CLARiTI

CLARiTI seeks to identify the several possible causes of dementia that may be present in an individual, and may be contributing to a person’s current or future cognitive symptoms.

Mismatch Study

The Mismatch Study collects data from volunteer participants with memory or thinking difficulties possibly due to Alzheimer’s disease. The data will be used to enhance our understanding of and ability to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, as well as account for other brain factors that may contribute to symptoms. You will be compensated $25 for the testing visit & $50 for each scan.

The Aging Brain Cohort (ABC) Study

The largest, most comprehensive longitudinal (conducted over time) research effort in the US aimed at better understanding AD, MCI, and lifelong brain health. Those with normal memory and thinking, MCI, or early to moderate AD may be eligible.

The Longitudinal Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS)

The Longitudinal Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS) is a non-treatment national research initiative for adults diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (EOAD) and cognitively normal adults.

WINDOW Study

The WINDOW Study is developing a conversation tool to help older adults with memory concerns or cognitive impairment talk with loved ones and their medical team about aging in place. The goal is to make decisions about where to live and what support is needed easier to discuss and plan for, over time.

Not Enrolling

ADNI 4 Study

The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 4 (ADNI 4) is a non-treatment clinical research study that seeks to discover, optimize, standardize, and validate clinical trial measures and biomarkers used in ongoing AD research. ADNI 4 is the latest phase of the initiative to provide researchers throughout the world access to ADNI data with the belief that open source is the best way to approach Alzheimer’s. In this historic study of brain aging, data from ADNI will help determine the best measures for diagnosis and disease monitoring, which will be used to accelerate the testing of therapeutic interventions and, ultimately, improve Alzheimer’s disease prevention and care.

Diverse VCID Study

Diverse VCID is a research study using advanced brain imaging and blood-based techniques to better understand how vascular changes cause brain injury and cognitive decline, especially in racially diverse communities. Taking part in Diverse VCID is up to you. If you join, you can leave the study at any time.

I-MEASURED Study

I-MEASURED is a study that seeks to better understand the experiences and priorities of persons living with dementia and their loved ones in order to improve the way we test new treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). I-MEASURED is led by Dr. Catherine Auriemma of The PAIR Center in partnership with Dr. Jason Karlawish of the Penn Memory Center.

ONO Study

The ONO study is testing a new oral medication, ONO-2020, for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The goal is to see if the medication can slow the progression of symptoms by targeting gene expression.

START Study

The START (Synaptic Therapy Alzheimer’s Research Trial) Study is testing an investigational treatment to see if it can safely slow memory loss from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It lasts approximately two years and you will be asked to make about 24 visits to the study site to see doctors who will closely monitor your health. By participating, you or your loved one may not directly benefit but could be an important part of finding new treatments for people with AD. START is a national study funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

STEP Together

Penn researchers are looking for families to participate in a research study about increasing physical activity. This study may be a good fit for you if you and your family want to start moving more – whether for your health, enjoyment or to spend time together.

The Aging Brain Cohort Dedicated to Diversity (ABCD2) Study

Black adults are more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or related diseases but are severely underrepresented in clinical trials. The Aging Brain Cohort Dedicated to Diversity (ABCD2) research study aims to address this critical issue. Researchers are looking to collect various markers of aging in the brain for a period of four years. Some markers used are questionnaires, thinking and memory testing, retinal eye imaging, blood draws, MRI and PET scans.

The AHEAD Study

The AHEAD Study explores whether an investigational treatment slows the earliest brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Medial Temporal Lobe (MTL) Study

The purpose of the MTL study is to better understand age-related changes in brain structure and function and to compare this with the earliest changes of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Younger woman helps older man walk with walker.

TRAILBLAZER-ALZ-2

The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ-2 Study investigates if the drug donanemab can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in participants with early symptomatic AD.