Amyloid PET Imaging in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

Launched by NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING (NIA) · Jul 31, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how certain proteins called amyloids build up in the brain as people get older and whether these changes are linked to memory loss or other mental difficulties. Researchers will use special brain scans called PET CT scans to see where amyloids are in the brain and will follow participants over time to understand how these protein changes might affect brain health and daily thinking skills.

The study is open to men and women aged 55 and older who are already part of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) and meet certain health criteria. Participants will have brain scans and memory tests every 1 to 4 years (or every year if they are 80 or older) during their regular BLSA visits. The PET CT scan involves a safe, small injection that helps highlight amyloids in the brain, and the scan takes about 30 minutes. In addition, participants will answer questions about their mood and daily life, and a close contact person may also be asked about the participant’s routine. The study will last about five years, and those interested must be able to give consent and not have certain medical conditions that could affect the study or their safety.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• * INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Participants are men and women 55 years and older drawn from the BLSA sample and thus, represent the gender/ethnic characteristics of this study group. Enrollment is defined as the initial imaging session of the planned longitudinal study.
• • Inclusion criteria: BLSA participants who do not meet exclusion criteria and have had or agreed to have an MRI under the BLSA study.
• • Participants who lack capacity to consent will not be enrolled in the study. If the participant loses capacity to consent over the course of follow-up they will be removed them from the study. Competency to consent is assessed as part of the BLSA visit and we will not include people who are not competent to provide consent.
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • Preexisting central nervous system diseases
• • Weight over 300 lbs.
• • Active metastatic cancer (except basal cell cancer)
• • Implanted electronic hearing devices
• • Breast Cancer with radiation treatment
• • Lymphoma
• • Pacemaker
• • Brain tumor
• • Shrapnel
• • Schizophrenia
• • Bipolar disorder
• • Epilepsy
• • Language barrier that makes it difficult to understand participant.
• • Aneurisms greater than 3mm
• • Aneurysm clips
• • Parkinson s disease/PD medications
• • Huntington s disease
• • Severe Endocrinopathy- treated thyroid conditions ok; treated, controlled diabetes ok. (exclude HbA1c over 8 which is poorly controlled diabetes)
• • Diagnosis of dementia or mild cognitive impairment
• • Younger than 55 years of age
• • Pregnancy
• • Ineligible for MRI
• • History of stroke or documented TIAs requiring hospitalization
• • Known brain vascular malformations or adenomas
• • History of significant radiation exposure
• • Those with a Blessed score of 4 or more with the BLSA will be reviewed at a research diagnostic case conference to rule out dementia diagnoses prior to enrollment.