An observational study in Aging, sponsored by National Institute on Aging (NIA). Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 55 Years to 110 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-10.
Sponsored by National Institute on Aging (NIA) · Observational
Background:
Some people experience cognitive decline as they age. That is, they lose memory, problem-solving, and other mental abilities. Amyloids are groups of proteins that develop in the brain and increase in number as people age. Researchers want to use imaging scans to track amyloids in people s brains over time. Their goal is to find out if any changes are related to cognitive decline or other medical issues.
Objective:
To learn how amyloids may affect brain structure and function as people age.
Eligibility:
People aged 55 years and older who are enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.
Design:
Participants will have imaging scans and other tests every 1 to 4 years, depending on their age. Those 80 and older will be scanned yearly. These scans will be done during regular BLSA visits.
The scans will be positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET CT). Participants will be given fluid through a tube inserted into a vein in their arm. The fluid is a tracer that will cause the amyloids to light up in the images. Then they will lie on a bed with their head inside a PET CT scanner. They will lie still for about 30 minutes.
Participants will have tests to assess their memory and other mental skills. They will answer questions about their mood and daily life. These tests will take about 40 minutes to complete; they may be done in person or by phone.
Participants will give a contact number for someone who can answer questions about the participant s daily routine. These questions may be answered in person or by phone.
Participants will be in this study for 5 years.
Abstract:
This protocol continues and expands a longitudinal brain positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study that will support multiple hypothesis-driven investigations within the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). We are examining changes in brain structure, function, and neuropathology as predictors of cognitive decline and impairment through longitudinal neuroimaging assessments of selected BLSA participants at the National Institute on Aging (NIA). The hypothesis driving this study is that accelerated preclinical changes in brain structure and function in specific regions, including mesial temporal cortex, cingulate cortex, precuneus, and inferior temporal and parietal cortex, will predict which individuals subsequently develop cognitive impairment and Alzheimer s disease (AD). Between 2005 and 2022, we performed serial positron emission tomography (PET) with the radiotracer (11C) Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) to measure amyloid pathology in a subset of participants from the BLSA to investigate the neuropathological basis of memory change and cognitive impairment. Additionally, between 2016 and 2022, we performed serial PET with the radiotracer (18F) flortaucipir (Tauvid (TM)) to measure neurofibrillary tau tangle pathology in a subset of the BLSA participants who undergo amyloid PET imaging. Through the current protocol we are continuing longitudinal amyloid and tau PET imaging of older participants and evaluating new participants. In conjunction with each BLSA visit, we will perform a single PET scan of (18F) florbetaben (Neuraceq (R)) to measure in vivo amyloid distribution in individuals aged 55 years and older. In addition, we will implement PET imaging of tau neurofibrillary tangles using [18F]florquinitau (Tauklarify (TM)) PET scans. In combination, PET imaging of amyloid and tau will provide in vivo imaging biomarkers of neuropathology. Such biomarkers have been implemented into research guidelines for definition of preclinical AD as well as incorporated into guidelines for diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Approximately half of the neuroimaging study participants are enrolled in the BLSA autopsy program, and the integration of autopsy and imaging findings is an active area of investigation to gain a better understanding of factors that promote cognitive resilience in individuals who have amyloid and tau pathology but do not show memory impairment. In addition, we are using neuroimaging tools to investigate modulators of cognitive and brain changes, including sex differences in brain aging, genetic risk factors, and the effects of sex steroid and other hormones. An understanding of these brain-behavior associations and early detection of accelerated brain changes that predict cognitive decline and impairment will be critical in identifying individuals likely to benefit from new interventions.
Objectives:
The principal goal of the project is the acquisition of longitudinal data on regional brain amyloid and tau levels in BLSA participants to investigate these changes in relation to other medical, brain imaging, psychological, and cognitive data collected through the BLSA. Specifically, the primary objectives are to continue to address the following questions:
3,965 studies on the registry are indexed under Alzheimer Disease; 926 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 400 is above the median of 200 across 814 observational studies indexed under Alzheimer Disease.
Browse Alzheimer Disease studies →National Institute on Aging (NIA) is the lead sponsor of 160 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
Of its 7 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 2 (29%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
The criteria were revised on the registry on Nov 2, 2026. See what changed
Men and women over age 55.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HbA1c
A blood test of average blood sugar over the past two to three months, given as a percentage or in mmol/mol. 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) or more is the usual threshold for diabetes, normally confirmed by a second test.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Adults aged 55 and older.
Amyloid accumulation
yearly PET scans
Time frame: longitudinal
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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