Identify Mechanisms to Preserve Agility in Cognition and Thinking (IMPACT)
What are we trying to learn through the study?
The purpose of this study is to understand how our brains change with age and which changes affect walking, thinking, and memory as we get older. Using a variety of tests, we collect data on brain structure, brain blood vessels, inherited traits, walking, thinking, and memory. Our goal is to identify ways to prevent walking, thinking, and memory problems as we get older and to understand what changes in brain structure and function lead to these problems in old age.
Some individuals continue to have normal walking, thinking, and memory despite having age-related structural brain changes. Understanding the differences between these individuals and those who develop walking, thinking, and memory problems will help us identify ways to preserve brain function and prevent walking, thinking, and memory problems in our aging population.
What would I do as part of the study?
Your study visit involves 5 different evaluations, which can be done in one day or across two days. If you decide to do all the tests in one day, you will have an appointment lasting five hours. If you decide to do the tests across two days, you will have one appointment lasting an hour and a half and another appointment lasting two and a half hours. Most people prefer to do all the tests in one day.
You will undergo the 5 evaluations twice: once as a baseline measure, then again at a follow-up visit in two years to see how things have changed.
Here is a brief overview of the 5 evaluations, including how much time each evaluation takes.
Thinking and Memory Tests
These are thinking and memory games. You will complete some games on pen and paper and other games on an iPad.
Total time: 40-50 minutes.
Walking Tests
You will walk back and forth on a mat that records your footsteps. You will also do thinking tasks during some of the walks.
Total time: 10 minutes.
Brain Ultrasound
We place a small headset with two microphones on your head to measure the blood flow in your brain. You will do a few more memory games and a breathing exercise while wearing the headset to see how your brain blood flow changes when you are being challenged. This is a completely non-invasive procedure.
About one in four people cannot have this evaluation because of the structure of their skull. If this is the case, the evaluation will be skipped. We do not know this until we put the headset on your head.
Total time: 30-60 minutes.
MRI Scan
This evaluation is similar to your prior brain MRI(s). You will lie flat in the MRI machine so we can take pictures of your brain. The MRI machine does not use radiation.
Total time: 60 minutes.
Blood Draw
We will draw about three tablespoons of blood to identify proteins and genes that may be important for brain structure and function in aging.
Total time: 5 minutes
What do I receive for taking part in the study?
If you complete all five evaluations this year, you will receive $300 as compensation. If you complete all five evaluations at the follow-up in two years, you will receive another $350 as compensation.
After each appointment, we will provide you with free copies of your MRI scans, your other test results, and information on how to keep your brain healthy.
Where do I go when I take part in the study?
We complete all evaluations at the Northwestern Medicine campus in downtown Chicago.
Still have questions? Contact us here!