Completed Research Studies

FIND-CTE Study

Focused Imaging for the Neurodegenerative Disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

Location: Study sites in the Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA areas

Seeking: Former NFL players between 45 and 80 years old. Participation will include study visits at one of the two study cites 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.

Goal: The major goal of the FIND-CTE research project is to develop methods of diagnosing CTE during life, so that interventions can be developed to help those affected by this disease.

Update: FIND-CTE completed recruiting in March 2023 and is no longer accepting new participants.

Molecular Imaging of Brain Injury and Repair in NFL Players

Location: Baltimore

Seeking: Researchers at Johns Hopkins are seeking former NFL players who played for two or more seasons and whose last season was within the last five years. Participants must be between 25 and 40 years old and have no history of psychiatric disease. Qualified participants will undergo a PET scan, an MRI scan, and an optional lumbar puncture. Those completing the study will receive compensation for time and travel to Baltimore.

Goal: The purpose of this study is to track markers of injury and repair, provide data to analyze concussions, determine the severity of the effects, and determine the overall long term health impact on the players.

Update: This study completed recruiting in February 2024 and is no longer accepting new participants.

Boston University COVID &
Cognition Study

BU COVID & Cognition Study

Location: Nationwide
Seeking:

At least 18 years of age
Fluent in English
Access to an Internet-connected smartphone (iOS or Android) or tablet device
No plan to undergo any major treatments or surgery during the next 6 months
No diagnosis of dementia, stroke, or major depressive disorder
No admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) since 2018
No history of head injury or concussion

Background & Detail:

Many COVID-19 patients experience neurological consequences, such as problems with memory, attention, and brain fog. There is currently a lack of understanding of how COVID-19 impacts neurological functioning, cognition, and mood. Gather more information on the neurocognitive impact of COVID-19 could help develop treatments that aim to produce better outcomes while better characterizing the effects of COVID-19 on the brain.

This project will use mobile-based assessments, including smartphones and tablets, to characterize the neurocognitive effects of COVID-19 with higher precision and frequency than done with traditional neuropsychological testing. We aim to determine whether the cognitive capacity, mood, and sleep patterns of individuals who have ever been infected with COVID-19 is distinguishable from individuals who have never been infected with COVID-19. Having ever been infected with COVID-19 will distinguish the two groups recruited in the study (Group 1: Ever-COVID; Group 2: Never-COVID). The date and reported severity of COVID-19 infection, as well as details related to changes in lifestyle will be recorded to help characterize their recovery trajectory.

Update: This study completed recruiting and is no longer accepting new participants.

Project S.A.V.E.

Location: Boston University or the University of California, San Francisco

Seeking: 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. The study consists of 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.

Goal: 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.

Update: This study completed recruiting and is no longer accepting new participants.

T.A.N.G.L.E.

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

Seeking: 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.

Participation will include two Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, an ADRC evaluation (neurological exam, cognitive exam, self-report mood and behavior exam), advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and a blood sample.

Goal: The primary goal of this research study is to create methods of diagnosing CTE during life so that interventions can be developed to help those affected by this disease.

Update: This study completed recruiting and is no longer accepting new participants.