What is this study about?
This research study is designed to collect information that will help improve our understanding of risk factors and predictors of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Volunteers DO NOT need to be diagnosed with DLB to participate.
The long-term goal is to support early detection/diagnosis and discover new treatment targets.
What’s involved?
This study involves an in-person visit to a specialty clinic with expertise in DLB. The procedures will last approximately a full business day but may be split over multiple days.
During the visit, volunteers will give a blood sample, complete a survey, and receive detailed clinical assessments. Participants will also be scheduled for a brain MRI, DAT SPECT (also known as DaTscan), MIBG Cardiac Scintigraphy (a measure of the nerve that connects to the heart), and skin biopsy.
The visit will also include a feedback session during which a member of the research team meets with the volunteer to review a summary of the results.
Who can participate?
An individual may be able to take part in the study if he/she:
- Is age 50 or older
- Is community dwelling (i.e., not in a skilled nursing facility, nursing home, or assisted living)
- Speaks English
- Has someone who can serve as a Study Partner to provide collateral information (this is usually also a care partner)
- Does NOT have insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus
- Is able to have an MRI (i.e., does not have certain implantable devices, claustrophobia, etc.)
- Individuals without a history of drug abuse
- Individuals who have not had cancer within the past 5 years
People DO NOT have to have a diagnosis of DLB to participate in this study. The study team is especially interested in finding people who fit the following categories:
- Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD)
- Parkinson’s disease without cognitive impairment
- Mild cognitive impairment with Lewy bodies
- Mild dementia with Lewy bodies
Study Site
| State | City | Site Name | Contact |
| Florida | Boca Raton | University of Miami Comprehensive Center for Brain Health | healthybrain@miami.edu |
Study Funder/Sponsor
The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For more information, please email healthybrain@miami.edu, or call (561) 869-6840.