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Department of Neurosciences Department of Neurosciences

iPSC-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Human Models of Aging and Disease


Study Name iPSC-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Study Human Models of Aging and Disease
Study Summary

Participants are asked to provide skin cells from their forearm or the back of their tricep for the purpose of generating human pluripotent stem cells. These stem cells will be used to generate human brain cells (neurons) in the laboratory that have the same genetic makeup. None of the skin cells provided will be used to produce a human pregnancy or a cloned human person. We hope to create a ‘laboratory model’ using all of the genes from donors; they may help us study the causes of various diseases and test new medications and therapies. As part of this study, we will also be determining genetic makeup by analyzing DNA (DNA is the genetic material inside of your cells).

Participants who agree to brain donation at the end of life will also be given the opportunity to provide a final skin sample for iPSC research at that time.

Principal Investigator(s) Douglas Galasko, MD
Required Diagnosis  SMADRC longitudinal study ENROLLED participants with a diagnosis of Normal Cognition, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer's disease (AD). or Down Syndrome (DS) 
Age 65 or older for Normal Controls; N/A for persons with diagnosis
Length one time appointment for each sample collection agreed to
Lumbar Puncture ​No
MRI No
Amyloid PET No
Tau PET No
Compensation No
Contact

participate@ucsd.edu 

More Information

Video about the Skin Biopsy Procedure

Video about iPSC Research

Aftercare Instructions

English instructions

Spanish instructions