Olfactory Neurons Study

K
Kathy Newell

Primary Investigator

Overview

We propose to study cells obtained from the upper nose in patients with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer Disease or related dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is evidence that cells from the nose may show changes associated to these neurological illnesses. The study of cells from normal subjects is necessary for comparison.


Description

Using a minimally invasive sampling approach, we will harvest and characterize olfactory mucosa neurons from patients with clinically diagnosed AD/ADRD and ALS with or without dementia using the RT-QuIC method. .

Eligibility

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions:
    Alzheimer; dementia
  • Age: - 100 Years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria:
  • ·         Patients with clinically diagnosed AD/AD related dementia (ADRD) (n=10)
    ·         Patients with clinically diagnosed ALS with/without dementia (n=10)
    ·         Normal control subjects without AD, ALS, or other neurodegenerative disease (n=20)
    ·         TDP43 is the most common misfolded protein associated to ALS. Tau is a major protein associated to AD. Beta-amyloid is also present in AD, and is common in aging.
    ·         Some of the patients may have AD or another type of dementia, including a frontotemporal dementia. As in many neurodegenerative diseases, more than one proteinopathy may be present, but we have the techniques and expertise to distinguish among these different proteins.
    ·         Control subjects will be clinically assessed by the neurologists for evidence of neurological disease or lack thereof.
Exclusion Criteria:
  • ·         Patients with non-AD/ADRD or non-ALS neurodegenerative diseases, clinically
    ·         Inability to tolerate the nasal swabbing procedure (due to dementia, nasal sensitivity/inability to withstand a swab in the nose, prior nasal injury, deviated septum, or surgery or other conditions that might contraindicate swabbing)
    ·         Patients with advanced dementia will not be included. 
    ·         Biologically-related family members of participants will not be included in this study.

Updated on 02 May 2024. Study ID: 10833, 1912489966, CTSI-IIR-OLFACTORY-NEURONS
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