Clinical Studies

Blood Analysis with Neuropathological Knowledge of CTE (BANK CTE) 

Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death. The BANK CTE study will combine the three essential components of our current research: brain donation, clinical data, and blood biomarkers to work towards a significant scientific breakthrough by discovering a way to diagnose CTE during a person’s lifetime.  

Participation includes a brain donation pledge, one-time online survey completion*, and a blood draw at your local Quest Diagnostics. After completion of all three components, participants will receive a $100 gift card.  

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: 
– Men & women aged 40 & older who have played 5+ years of contact sports including 2+ years of high school level or higher 
– OR served in the military
– OR did NOT play 5+ years of a contact sport

* If you have completed the HITSS survey and are interested in participating, please contact the study team  

 For more information, please contact bankcte@bu.edu or visit www.bankcte.org 

Health Outreach Program for the Elderly (HOPE) Program Extension

We are recruiting participants with a history of contact sports to help us understand how repetitive head impacts affect a person’s risk of developing later-life neurologic disorders.

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: Contact sport athletes – both men & women

Learn more here. To participate, please contact Rachael Layden at rlayden@bu.edu

Tau Agent for the NeurodeGenerative Lesion of CTE (T.A.N.G.L.E.)

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: Former American football players between the ages of 50 and 70 with at least 11 years of American football play, including 2 years of college

For more information or to enroll, please contact Racheal Layden at rlayden@bu.edu

Head Impact & Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS)

The Head Impact & Trauma Surveillance Study (HITSS) was developed to answer questions about risks of developing later life brain health issues from repetitive head impacts in contact sports. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Participation is a fully-online survey that includes questionnaires on sports participation, medical history and behavior and mood, and brain games. It only takes approximately two hours to complete, and can be completed at any time and over several days, if desired. Participants are then asked to take a follow up assessment online one year later.

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: Anyone aged 40 or older who played soccer or tackle football at any level – youth, high school, college or pro/elite

To learn more or to participate visit www.HITSS.org. Contact HITSS at HITSS@BU.edu or (617) 358-6864 or contact Matt Roebuck at mroebuck@bu.edu with any questions.

Stunt Performance Research Neurological Trauma (SPRINT) Study

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: Stunt performers

For more information or to enroll, please contact Sophia Nosek at snosek@bu.edu.

Project S.A.V.E.

S.A.V.E. stands for Study of Axonal and Vascular Effects from repetitive head impacts. The major goal of this study is to determine how repeated head impacts from playing contact sports can lead to long-term thinking, memory, and mood problems. The results of this study could inform on strategies to treat and prevent symptoms associated with head impacts from contact sports. Participation includes: a 1-2 day study visit at either Boston University or the University of California, San Francisco. Each visit will consist of an advanced MRI of the brain; neurological, cognitive, self-report mood and behavior exams; blood samples; and an optional lumbar puncture. Participants will return annually. 

CURRENTLY ENROLLING: Men and women age 50 or older who played 5+ years of a contact sport, including American football, ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse, boxing, full contact martial arts, rugby, and wrestling

To participate in Boston, please call (617) 358-6545 or email joinhope@bu.edu.

To participate in San Francisco, please email Karen Smith at karen.smith@ucsf.edu. 

Focused Imaging for the Neurodegenerative Disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (FIND-CTE)

The major goal of this research project is to develop methods of diagnosing CTE during life, so that interventions can be developed to help those affected by this disease. This research study is not designed to provide a diagnosis or treatment to participants. Participation will include study visits at one of the two study sites for the FIND-CTE evaluation which includes two positron emission tomography (PET) scans; as well as an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center evaluation including neurological, cognitive, self-report mood and behavior exams; advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans; and a collection of blood samples. 

ENROLLMENT PERIOD HAS ENDED.

DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project

This new project entitled Diagnostics, Imaging, and Genetics Network for the Objective Study and Evaluation (DIAGNOSE) of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is looking to develop diagnostic criteria for CTE. Dr. Stern is the contact PI (other PI’s are J. Cummings, E. Reiman, and M. Shenton) of this $16 million, multi-center, multi-disciplinary, 7-year grant to further his initial work on the development of in vivo biomarkers for CTE and clinical diagnostic criteria. This study is funded by the NIH/NINDS and began recruitment in Spring 2016. Former NFL players, former college football players, and “control” participants between the ages of 45 and 74 were recruited for examinations held at one of four locations (Boston, New York, Las Vegas, Scottsdale/Phoenix).