Studies Related to Normal Aging

Emotional Memory

This study is designed to help clarify the role of the amygdala and other emotional brain components in emotional memory, in both normal elderly people and people with early Alzheimer's Disease. By doing so, we hope to better understand the changes in memory that occur very early in Alzheimer's Disease, as well as changes (if any) seen in the normal aging process. To assess the effects of age on this system, we will also evaluate a group of young people without memory problems for comparison. For more information, click here.

Brain Glucose Metabolism in Normal Aging & AD

The goal of this study is to identify the earliest brain features of Alzheimer’s disease. PET is, by far, the most sensitive brain scan enabling scientists and doctors to quantitatively evaluate how the brain is working. For more information, click here.

Biological Markers with Memantine Treatment

The goal of this project is to examine whether the amount of proteins found in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), blood, and measures of brain structures (using MRI scans) are affected by taking the drug Memantine. Memantine has recently been shown at NYU to be effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This study will accomplish the following two main goals: 1. Examine the effects of the recently FDA approved drug, Memantine on known biological markers of AD and 2. Evaluate the relationships among biological markers under treatment and non-treatment conditions. This project has the potential to demonstrate that Memantine can directly affect the pathophysiology of AD. No other drug has ever demonstrated this type of effect. For more information, click here.

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