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Delaware Longitudinal Study for Alzheimer’s Prevention
This study examines the relationship between health, lifestyle, and dementia risk. It explores how risk changes over time, helping scientists understand why some people experience faster cognitive decline than others.
Volunteers Needed!
Annual check-ins: 1-2 hours per year
Online via Zoom or in person at the UD STAR Campus
Easy surveys about sleep, exercise, diet, and social connections. Cognitive testing included.
*Some people will be invited to complete optional bloodwork and MRI scans.
What’s Involved
- Participants fill out surveys about their sleep, exercise, diet and social connections.
- Cognitive testing included.
- Some participants will be asked to have a “study partner” who knows them well enough to answer questions about their health and thinking abilities. The study partner can respond independently (online form) or with help from our staff.
- Some participants will be invited to complete optional bloodwork and MRI scans.
Basic Eligibility
- Ages 45 and older
- Not diagnosed with dementia
- *Complete eligibility list below
Time Required
Annual check-ins: 1-2 hours per year. Participants may stay in the study for as many consecutive years as they remain eligible (or until the study concludes in 2053).
Location
All activities can be completed online via Zoom or in person at the UD STAR Campus*. They can be done individually or with assistance from our staff, who are available in person, by phone, or via video chat.
*People who are invited to do the optional bloodwork and MRI would need to complete these in person.
Compensation
Compensation is not included for the main study. Compensation is only provided for people who are invited to complete the optional bloodwork and MRI testing.
Get Started!
To participate in our studies, sign up for the Brain Health Registry by completing a short intake questionnaire. A team member will then contact you to schedule a 45-minute telephone assessment. Once registered, you’ll receive notifications about eligible studies. For more information and to join, visit our Brain Health Registry page. Signing up is easy—join us today!
Your privacy matters to us. We keep all information for the Brain Health Registry and research studies confidential and secure. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw anytime.
There are eligibility requirements for the DeLSAP. Not all adults will qualify, but these requirements may change in the future. If you’re not eligible now, please check back later.
To be eligible for the DeLSAP, participants must:
- be aged 45 years or older.
- live within a 2-hour drive from the University of Delaware.
- be able to speak and understand spoken English.
- have adequate vision to read an average restaurant menu.
- have sufficient hearing to engage in conversation in a quiet room (hearing aids are acceptable).
To be eligibile for the DeLSAP, participants must NOT have the following medical conditions:
Neurological Conditions
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Severe traumatic brain injury (concussion or mild TBI is ok)
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Brain tumor
- Hydrocephalus
- Cerebral Palsy
- Developmental/genetic disorder (e.g., Down syndrome)
Psychological Conditions
- Severe depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders
- Substance use disorders (within the last 12 months)
Other conditions
- Uncontrolled thyroid or endocrine disorder
- Vitamin B12 (untreated or severe)
- Active syphilis infection or neurosyphilis
- End-stage liver or kidney disease
- Current chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- Severe or unstable diabetes
- Significant cognitive problems that impact independent living and possess the capacity to provide informed consent without a Legally Authorized Representative.