Understanding False Memory in Alzheimer’s Disease
In addition to forgetting things, patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias frequently remember things that never happened. Researchers in Dr. Budson’s laboratory at the VA hospital in Bedford are working to understand what causes these false memories in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The ultimate goal of this study, sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, is to provide the basis for ways to reduce false memories in patients with dementia.
Who is eligible to participate?
Opportunities are available for most individuals ages 18 to 85 to participate, with or without a diagnosis of dementia. The dementia can be due to Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Vascular (Multi-infarct) dementia, Frontotemporal dementia (also called Frontal Lobe dementia or Pick’s disease), Semantic Dementia, or Primary Progressive Aphasia. Individuals with dementia should be in the mild stage of the disease. Healthy individuals from 18 to 85 years of age are also eligible.
What happens at the visit?
Two types of research studies are available, computer studies and EEG studies.Participants are free to choose either type of study or both. A small amount of compensation is available for participation in these studies. Most studies can be done in one or two visits.
All participants take standard pencil and paper tests of thinking and memory. This will take between 30 and 60 minutes.
For the computer studies:
No knowledge of computers is necessary. Participants sit with a lab member who shows them words and/or pictures on the computer screen and then asks them questions about what they saw. This will take between 30 and 90 minutes.
For the EEG studies:
Participants wear a cap like a swimming cap, and a special gel is gently put into 128 holes in the cap. This step will take about 30 minutes. Participants then sit with a lab member who shows them words and/or pictures on a computer screen and then asks them questions about what they saw. This will take between 60 and 90 minutes. Participants can wash their hair with ordinary shampoo afterwards, either in the laboratory or at home.
Where is the study taking place?
The computer studies can be done in Bedford, Massachusetts at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, in Boston at Boston University Medical Center or Brigham and Women’s Hospital, or in participants’ homes.
The EEG studies are performed at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts.
How can I find out more?
For more information contact Jill Waring or Ellen Beth at The Budson Brain Laboratory at 781-687-3360 or thebrainlab@yahoo.com.
Key Personnel
- Andrew E. Budson, M.D., Neurologist
- Jill D. Waring, B.A., Senior Research Assistant/Laboratory Manager
- Ellen Beth, B.A., Research Assistant
- David Hwang, B.A., Harvard Medical School Student