Research Center: Boston University
Location: 72 E Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118
Lead Researcher: Dr. Wendy Qiu
IRB: This study has been reviewed and approved by the Integrated Network for Subject Protection In Research Institutional Review Board

As the population ages, it is predicted that there will be more than 15 million Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) patients in the US by 2050, costing billions of dollars to take care of those impacted. As effective treatments for the disease are sought, tests that are simple, noninvasive, sensitive, and specific to diagnosing AD and that can identify individuals who are at an increased risk for AD are urgently needed. However, currently, there are neither blood tests available to diagnose AD, nor any screening tests for the pre-stages of AD. But researchers from Boston University are trying to help, and you can too.

This research study hopes to develop a simple blood test, the Pramlintide Challenge test, to help in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease. Pramlintide is an FDA-approved drug currently used to treat diabetes. This research will help to repurpose this drug for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and develop new drugs. Consider signing up and making a difference in Alzheimer’s research!

• Participants will be helping to advance medical research.
• Participants will be contributing valuable information that may benefit those with Alzheimer’s Disease in the future.
• Participants will be reimbursed for travel expenses and provided with a meal during the drug visits. Participants also have the option of learning the result of their PET scan. Reimbursement will only be provided to eligible participants who complete the study.

• If you decide to participate in the study and later feel that you no longer wish to be part of it, you can withdraw at any time.
• Any information that you provide will be kept strictly confidential, except as required by law.
• Qualified health professionals will monitor your health as it relates to the study.

• Men and women aged 60-90
• Can be diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s Disease, memory decline, and mild cognitive impairment
• Must not have been diagnosed with Gastroparesis
• Must not have had a stroke
• Must not have seizures or be taking anti-seizure medications
• Must not be diagnosed with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)
• Must be able and willing to undergo a PET Scan
• Must be able to attend 3 study visits at the research site over approximately 12 months

The study team will explain the research in its entirety, but some details are:

• Participation involves three study visits:
  • Visit 1: PET scan: A picture of your brain will be taken.
  • Visit 2: The first dose of Pramlintide will be given and blood will be drawn periodically to measure for amyloid deposits. This visit has to be within 12 months of Visit 1.
  • Visit 3: It is the same as Visit 2 and must be within 1 month of Visit 2. The dose will be different.
• Optional Lumbar Puncture: Fluid will be collected from your lower back. You can choose to opt out of this procedure.

Boston University
Founded in 1839, Boston University is internationally recognized as a top institution of higher learning and research. Comprising 17 schools and colleges and the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, BU offers more than 300 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs, along with the resources of multiple libraries and over 130 academic centers and institutes. With close to 37,000 students from all 50 states and 130+ countries, Boston University is among the largest independent universities in the United States. As one of 65 invited members of the Association of American Universities, BU is among North America’s most prestigious research universities.

Please note:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers would like to assure the participants that ensuring their and the study staff’s safety is of utmost importance.