Observational Clinical Studies
About Our Studies
We have several ongoing clinical studies including studies initiated by Dr. Vossel and investigations that are part of nationwide consortia as follows:
In Vivo Studies of the Epileptic Hippocampus in Alzheimer's Disease (EHAD)
The Vossel lab is collaborating with UCLA Epilepsy Program, Neurosurgery, and Neuropathology to study the relationship between seizures and cognitive decline in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and Alzheimer's diseaes (AD). We received an NIH R01 award to carry out the following goals: 1) In patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who exhibit epileptiform activity and/or pathological high frequency oscillations (pHFOs) on overnight EEG, perform hippocampal depth electrode recordings over 5 days to assess for hippocampal seizures and further characterize the hippocampal neurophysiology. Participants will be given brivaracetam to suppress epileptic activity and maintained on the most effective dose of brivaracetam for a year in an open-label clinical trial; 2) Carry out pathological analysis of hippocampal specimens for AD pathology from participants with MTLE who undergo surgical resection and follow these patients longitudinally; 3) In a rat model of AD with epilepsy, perform electrophysiological and behavioral testing before and after treatment with brivaracetam. EEG findings will be compared with data obtained from the intrahippocampal kainate rat model. (Site PIs: Keith Vossel, MD, MSc, Jerome Engel, MD, PhD, Richard Staba, PhD)
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Sydney Kilgore
Email: Skilgore@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 825-3198
Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Disease (BIND)
BIND is the main observational study supporting various research projects within the Easton Center. The purpose of BIND is to collect a large amount of information from tests of brain function and cognitive performance over a period of time to help researchers learn more about and develop new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. This study seeks to enroll participants willing to undergo cognitive testing, brain imaging (PET and MRI), blood draws, optional lumbar puncture, and an overnight sleep study or 2-hour EEG. Eligible participants may have normal cognition or be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson’s disease with dementia, frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, transient epileptic amnesia, or adult-onset epilepsy. Participants will be evaluated for as long as they are willing and able to participate. (Site PI: Keith Vossel, MD, MSc)
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Sydney Kilgore
Email: Skilgore@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 825-3198
National Institute on Aging - Alzheimer’s Disease Family Based Study (NIA-AD FBS)
NIA-AD FBS is a longitudinal observational study recruiting families with multiple members diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or related disorders for genetic research. The study seeks to enroll families with 3+ individuals willing to participate. For families to be included, at least one sibling must have an established diagnosis of AD or have a diagnosis of a related disorder such as frontotemporal dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies. The family will also require an informant. Those who choose to participate in this study will undergo cognitive testing, MRIs, and blood draws every 18 months for up to 5 years. (Site PI: Keith Vossel, MD, MSc)
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Sydney Kilgore
Email: Skilgore@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 825-3198
Biomarkers for Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (MarkVCID)
MarkVCID aims to identify and validate biomarkers for the small vessel diseases of the brain that produce vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). As a site for the larger NIH-funded MarkVCID consortium, UCLA’s goal is to deliver high-quality biomarkers ready for use in clinical trials aimed at generating scientific breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of VCID. This study seeks to enroll participants willing to undergo cognitive testing, MRI, and a blood draw. Eligible participants will either be normal controls, have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, or have a diagnosis of mild dementia. (Site PIs: Jason Hinman, MD and Keith Vossel, MD, MSc)
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Sydney Kilgore
Email: Skilgore@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 825-3198
MUSIC (Music Stimulation to Improve Cognition)
MUSIC (Music Stimulation to Improve Cognition) is an exploratory study aimed at understanding how 40-Hz enhanced music and light can impact brain functioning. This study seeks to enroll participants willing to undergo electroencephalogram (EEG) while listening to 40-Hz enhanced music. Eligible participants may have normal cognition or be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, or Dementia with Lewy bodies. Participants will be required to come in for one study visit, or, if enrolled in ADRC-BIND, stay an additional hour after their overnight sleep study.
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Karen Elrayes
Email: KElrayes@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 206-1822
Dementia Research, Education, and Advancement in Los Angeles (DREAM-LA)
The Dementia Research, Education, and Advancement in Los Angeles (DREAM-LA) study is an observational, tiered participation study for participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), an AD related dementia (ADRD), or cognitively normal control. We are looking for people who are Hispanic/Latino (HL), Black/African American, or Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI). The are multiple levels of participation that are available. Study procedures may include: Medical exam, Survey about social factors, Genetic counseling, Cognitive test, Brain MRI (an image of the brain), Blood draw, and 2-hour brain wave study.
- Duration: One-time participation, with 1-2 visits
- Requirements to participate in the study include:
- Age: 45 and older
- Have a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), an AD related dementia (ADRD), or cognitively normal control
- Self-report as Hispanic/Latino (HL), Black/African American, or Asian American, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI)
(PI: Keith Vossel, MD, MSc)
Contact Information
To participate in this study or for more information, please contact:
Name: Sydney Kilgore
Email: Skilgore@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 825-3198
Name: Katy Figueroa
Email: KAFigueroa@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 206-8993
Name: Karen Elrayes
Email: KElrayes@mednet.ucla.edu
Phone: (310) 206-1822