Brain 'Firmness' test may spot Alzheimer's early

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria for Control Subjects: * In good general health * No Active neurological or psychiatric conditions, if a prior neurological or psychiatric condition was present they must have returned to normal * No cognitive complaints * Normal neurological examination * No psychoactive medications * They may have a chronic medical condition that does not affect cognition * Low Aβ load Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) ratio \<1.5 Inclusion Criteria for Mild Cognitive Impairment Subjects: * In good general health * Memory complaint documented by the patient and collateral source * Normal general cognitive function as determined by measure of general intellectual function and screening including the Short Test of Mental Status * Normal activities of daily living as documented by history and Record of Independent Living * Not demented by DSM-III-R criteria * Do have an objective memory impairment determined by the clinical judgement of the neuropsychologists and neurologists * High Aβ load Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) ratio ≥1.5 Inclusion Criteria for Alzheimer's Disease Subjects: * In good general health * Dementia not a result of other medical or psychiatric conditions * Diagnosis of dementia made according to DSM-III-R criteria * Do have objective memory impairment determined by the clinical judgement of the neuropsychologists and neurologists * High Aβ load Pittsburgh compound-B (PiB) ratio ≥1.5 Exclusion Criteria: * Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment due to a known genetic mutation * Major depression * History of primary or metastatic intracranial neoplasm, significant head trauma, intra-cerebral hemorrhage, hemispheric stroke * Contradictions to MRI imaging including but not limited to cardiac pacemakers, intraocular or intracranial metal, or other MRI incompatible devices. * Pregnant women. Women of child bearing potential will be given a urine pregnancy test prior the MRI scan. Results will be shared with the participant. If the pregnancy test is positive, the participant will not be included within the study