About Our Research Studies

The Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer's Disease Research Center has a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers to participate in important research studies designed to discover ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately eradicate Alzheimer's disease as well as other related neurological diseases. 

Participate in a Study

We are recruiting diverse volunteers on an ongoing basis to learn more about memory and aging. Our center conducts both observational and interventional types of research.

Interventional Studies (Clinical Trials)

Interventional studies test promising treatments in a controlled environment. In these studies, the investigator assigns participants to particular treatment groups in order to measure and compare their outcomes at the end of the trial. These studies are also called "clinical trials" or "treatment trials." New treatments cannot be widely used until they have been shown to work safely in patients, and clinical trials are the standard used to judge these treatments as safe and effective. 

Enrolling Clinical Trials

Observational Studies

Observational studies are those in which individuals are observed and their outcomes are measured by the investigators. They are used to follow people who may already be receiving treatment for an illness while measuring their outcomes. These studies rely upon a more natural setting as participants select their treatment.

Enrolling Observational Studies

Types of Research Procedures

For any given study, you may be asked to undergo any or all of the following procedures:

• Neuropsychological Testing
• Lumbar Puncture (LP)
• Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI)
• PET SCAN
• Brain Autopsy

Find out more about our research procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

​Choosing to participate in a clinical trial or research study is an important decision.  Before you or your loved one decide to participate in research, you need to learn what it's like to be in a trial and describe the pros and cons of participating.

See our FAQs.