Projects

Learn about our ongoing projects by clicking on the links in the dropdown menu. All projects are conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging located in the Charlestown Navy Yard. For more information about any of the projects, please contact the study coordinator or email brainstudy@mgh.harvard.edu. Alternatively, you can enter information securely online to determine pre-eligibility for any studies here or enter www.mghbrainstudy.com into any browser. 

Cerebrovascular Contributions to Brain Aging and Dementia (Cerebro)

A primary focus of the study is to determine how the normal decline in vascular health with advanced aging contributes to neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias. We use structural and functional neuroimaging technology as a tool to measure changes in tissue integrity and physiology and how those changes relate to cognitive function. Healthy individuals between the ages of 60-80 years old diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and individuals with no memory or cognitive problems are invited to enroll in the study. 

Participation involves approximately four to six visits to the research center over 1-2 years.  

Study visits are comprised of questions about your health and medical history, brief neurological and physical exam, blood draw, memory tests, a phone interview with a study partner, MRI scans, and other imaging scans to measure the structure and function of your brain. Participants will be paid up to $670 for completing the entire study. Meals, snacks, and parking are provided. Some transportation may also be reimbursed. 

Eligibility criteria include:

• Healthy adults (60-80) with AND without memory problems, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
• No history of kidney problems
• No history of severe acute or chronic neurological or psychiatric conditions
• No use of psychoactive drugs
• If diabetic, glucose must be <200 mg/dL when medicated
• Must not have magnetically or mechanically activated implants

Complete our online screen here and study member will contact you shortly.

Study Coordinator: 617-643-7721 | Email: brainstudy@mgh.harvard.edu 

Integrated Neurocognitive Sleep-Behavior for the Endophenotypic Classification of Dementia Subtypes (INSPECDS)

Our laboratory is collaborating with Advance Brain Monitoring, Inc. to identify brainwave patterns that characterize the progression of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Approximately 500 individuals will participate study-wide. Locally at MGH, we aim to enroll 30 healthy adults with and without a diagnosis of MCI (memory problems) between the ages of 55-85. We use an electroencephalograph (EEG) and electrocardiograph (ECG) to record the electrical signals that naturally occur in the brain and heart.

Participants will be asked to visit the research center to complete a brain recording session, questionnaires, and memory tasks. There is also an optional take home task, which measures brain activity during sleep. Visits last approximately 4 hours. Participants will be paid $100 for completing the entire study. Meals, snacks, and parking are provided. Some transportation may also be reimbursed.

Eligibility criteria include:

• Healthy adults (55-85) with AND without memory problems, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
• No known sleep disorders
• No recent (past 5 years) head injury
• No regular use of opiate pain medications
• No recent heart attack or stroke
• Proficient in English

Study coordinator: 617-643-7721 | Email: brainstudy@mgh.harvard.edu