Memory Disorders Clinic
The Memory Disorders Clinic is a clinical research clinic that consists of a team of neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and other health-care professionals specially trained in diagnosing and treating memory disorders. The team offers participation in a variety of research studies. These include investigational treatment studies for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, and observational studies involving brain imaging, genetic risk factors, identification of molecular pathways, and new approaches to make an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Studies of healthy controls are also ongoing and recruiting participants. The Memory Disorders Clinic collaborates with the Columbia University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), which is one of 32 specialized ADRCs funded by the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The Memory Disorders Clinic does not provide clinical care for patients outside of research studies. If you do not wish to participate in a research study and are seeking evaluation or treatment for your memory or cognitive concerns, please contact the Department of Neurology’s Division of Aging and Dementia at 212-305-6939.
Contact
646-774-6739
Eligibility
A telephone screening followed by in-clinic screening will determine if a patient is eligible for a study.
Referrals
Family members, friends, and physicians may refer patients to the clinic.
Financial Information
Participation in studies at the Memory Disorders Clinic is free of charge.
Current Clinical Trials
Cognitive Training and Neuroplasticity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: COGIT-2 Trial (COGIT-2)
PI: Davangere Devanand, MD
Effective, clinically meaningful treatments are lacking for patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is associated with increased risk of transition to dementia. Cognitive training represents an important therapeutic strategy. In a previous study, crossword puzzles were found to be superior to computerized cognitive training on the primary cognitive outcome and function with decreased brain atrophy. Building on these findings, this study will evaluate and compare the impact of high dose crosswords (4 puzzles per week) to low dose crosswords (1 puzzle per week) and a health education control group on the cognition and function of participants. This study is funded by the NIA, a division of the NIH.
For more information, please contact Meaghan Janis at 646-774-8641.
Olfactory Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment (OTMCI)
PI: Jeffrey Motter, PhD
The Memory Disorders Clinic at the New York State Psychiatric Institute is recruiting volunteers with mild cognitive impairment ages 55-89 to participate in a randomized clinical trial which will study the effects of memory training for smells compared to memory training for visual images. Volunteers will complete cognitive and smell tests, 3 months of memory training, and a 6-month follow-up. Eligible volunteers can earn up to $300. This study is funded by the Alzheimer’s Association.
For more information on this study and how to participate, please contact Frank Ye at 646-774-7204.
Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) in Mild Cognitive Impairment
PI: Catherine Clelland, MS, PhD
BH4 is a naturally occurring molecule that plays an important role in how the brain functions. In our previous research, we found that BH4 levels may be related to memory loss in people experiencing memory problems. This new study aims to better understand how BH4 is related to learning and memory over time, specifically in people with mild cognitive impairment.
We are currently enrolling male and female participants age 55 years and older who have mild cognitive impairment. Participation involves three study visits over one year:
- One visit when you enter the study
- One visit 6 months later
- One final visit 12 months after entering the study
At each visit, participants will have a small blood draw, about 8 teaspoons, at our clinic and complete some assessments with a research assistant about their health and memory. Each visit will last approximately 2.5 hours.
Participants will be reimbursed for all travel/transportation expenses and will receive $50 at each visit for their participation.
This study is funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For more information on this study and how to participate, please contact Connie Huang at 646-774-6232.
Vortioxetine for Synaptic Plasticity
PI: Terry Goldberg, PhD
In this study, we will determine whether vortioxetine, an FDA approved antidepressant, can enhance cognition in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI is sometimes a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. We will compare vortioxetine to placebo in 30 individuals. You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are between 60 and 89 years old and are experiencing impaired memory.
For more information on this study and how to participate, please contact Janet Phang at 646-774-8691.
Sleep Interventions and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (SINA)
PI: Kim Hyun, PhD
While sleep’s connection to brain and cognitive function is widely established, it is unclear whether modifying sleep in older adults could delay cognitive decline and slow the development of AD. Understanding the impact of sleep treatments on cognitive changes could enhance the current understanding of sleep disturbance as a modifiable risk factor and establish sleep interventions as a potential tool to reduce the AD risks. The primary aim of the proposed research project is to examine neuropsychological performance outcomes of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and acoustic slow-wave activity enhancement (SWAE). The mechanism of treatment-related changes will be investigated using the changes in objective and subjective sleep parameters. The secondary aim is to examine the impact of sleep treatments on cognitively-mediated everyday functioning.
For more information on this study and how to participate, please contact Eftihia Mazis at 646-774-8690.
Targeting Sleep and Slow-Wave Activity to Enhance Cognition in MCI (TASSLE)
PI: Kim Hyun, PhD
Several studies have shown that sleep improvements through CBT-I can improve cognitive functions, particularly in attention and higher-order tasks such as multi-tasking. However, CBT-I was found to be not helpful with improving memory performance, which is a key area impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Because a particular type of deep sleep (“slow-wave activity sleep”) is critical for memory formation, a technique that focuses on slow-wave sleep enhancement may help boost both memory and attention performance when combined with CBT-I. The goal of this study is to examine the combined effects of CBT-I and acoustic clow wave activity enhancement (SWAE) technology on cognitive performance and AD biomarkers.
For more information on this study and how to participate, please contact Eftihia Mazis at 646-774-8690.
Current Observational Studies
Odor Recognition Memory in Dementia (ORMID)
PI: Jeffrey Motter, PhD
We are recruiting older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, older adults with early memory loss, and older adults without memory loss to participate in a brief study at the Memory Disorders Clinic at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The purpose of this study is to help improve our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and to develop better tests for early detection. This study involves smell tests, memory tests, blood draw, and an optional MRI scan. Participants can earn up to $200 for completing the study. Reimbursement is offered for transportation costs to our clinic.
For further information on this study and how you or your family member with Alzheimer’s disease can participate, please contact Ashley Seepaul at 646-774-5613.
