Can a tiny brain region predict Alzheimer's decades early?
NCT ID NCT04403165
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at 30 healthy older adults to see if changes in a small brain area called the locus coeruleus could be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers used brain scans, sleep tests, and spinal fluid analysis to measure brain function, sleep quality, and attention. The goal was to find new ways to detect Alzheimer's risk long before memory problems start.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2020
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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55 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female subjects with normal cognition and 55-75 years of age will be enrolled. * Subjects will be within normal limits on neurological and psychiatric examinations. * All subjects enrolled will have a CDR of 0. This will be evaluated through a clinical interview administered by a study physician (informant interview will not be required). * All subjects will have had a minimum of 12 years of education. Exclusion Criteria: * History of brain tumor, MRI evidence of brain damage or brain disease including significant trauma, hydrocephalus, seizures, stroke, mental retardation or other serious neurological disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders). * Significant history of alcoholism or drug abuse. * Significant history of psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar, PTSD, or life-long history of major depression). * Geriatric Depression Scale (short form)\>6. * Insulin dependent diabetes. * Evidence of clinically relevant cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine or hematological conditions. * Physical impairment of such severity as to adversely affect the validity of psychological testing. * Any prosthetic devices (e.g., pacemaker or surgical clips) that constitutes a hazard for MRI imaging. * History of a first-degree family member with early onset (age \<60 years) dementia. * Irregular sleep-wake rhythms (based on the actigraphy recordings) or significant OSA (AHI4%≥15). * Taking Coumadin/warfarin and/or medications affecting cognition or sleep. * Failure to complete all study visit within 4 months
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai
New York, New York, 10029, United States
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NYU Grossman School of Medicine
New York, New York, 10016, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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