Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common form of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a group of symptoms.

AD affects approximately five million people in the United States and is the most common form of severe memory loss (dementia). AD destroys parts of the brain that control memory, thinking, language and judgement.

There is currently no "cure" for dementia. In fact, because dementia is caused by different diseases it is unlikely that there will be a single cure for dementia. Research is aimed at finding cures for dementia-causing diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Hispanic/Latinx, African Americans and Africans are among the fastest growing populations affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, yet they are underrepresented in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) research.

Researchers hope to reduce the risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s Disease and reverse the growing trend of AD among all people; especially among Hispanic/Latinos, African Americans and Africans who are the most burdened by this debilitating disease. By participating in this research study, you can help make a great contribution into this knowledge; so that when genetic causes of the disease start to produce potential treatments for the disease, underrepresented populations will stand in a position to benefit from these groundbreaking discoveries.

Study participation is voluntary

Joining the study will not affect your healthcare or insurance

All information is confidential

There is no cost to the individual

A participant may withdraw from the study at any time

Travel to the research facility is not required

Although we are unable to provide individual results to families, we will send out periodic newsletters about research progress to participants

50 years or older with or without memory loss symptoms?

Any age with memory loss or diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia

Hispanic/Latinx

African American

African

Read and sign a consent form

Give family and medical history

Answer a short environmental risk factor questionnaire

Do a test of memory, thinking, and mood concentration

Complete a brief neurological examination

Give permission to review the medical records of the individual with memory and thinking problems

Provide blood sample

You don't necessarily need to have symptoms of memory loss or Alzheimer's disease to participate in a research study. Researchers are studying memory and Alzheimer's disease in all stages; even before symptoms appear.

Recent memory loss that affects job skills

Difficulty remembering appointments

Difficulty performing daily tasks

Having trouble finding the right words to use when speaking

Disorientation or feeling lost in familiar surroundings

Poor or decreased judgement

Problems with abstract thinking

Misplacing objects

Changes in mood or behavior

Changes in personality

Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty.

There's currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. But there is medicine available that can temporarily reduce the symptoms. Support is also available to help someone with the condition, and their family, cope with everyday life.