Northwestern Alzheimer's Research Participant Program
Clinical Core
A program that follows and collects brain scans, tests, and samples from older adults with and without memory problems to support Alzheimer's research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P30 center grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169785 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a group of about 500 volunteers who are seen yearly for memory testing, neuroimaging, and collection of blood and other biospecimens, with an option to donate brain tissue. The program focuses on early and pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s, studies people with unusually preserved memory (“SuperAgers”), and includes non-amnestic dementias like primary progressive aphasia to learn why brains age differently. Data and samples are shared with researchers and used to support prevention trials and other studies. Participation typically involves annual clinic visits, imaging, cognitive testing, and optional tissue donation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with or without memory concerns who can attend yearly visits, agree to cognitive testing and brain imaging, and are willing to provide biospecimens or consider tissue donation.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment benefits or those unable or unwilling to travel for in-person visits, imaging, or biospecimen donation may not receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could speed discovery of earlier detection methods and better ways to prevent or treat Alzheimer's by providing well-characterized participants and shared data.
How similar studies have performed: Large cohort efforts like ADNI and other Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers have successfully identified biomarkers and supported trials, so this builds on proven approaches.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weintraub, Sandra — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Weintraub, Sandra
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.