Our Research

Offspring of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias face an elevated risk for the disease. This study seeks to recruit individuals with ethnic or racial backgrounds from the Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) or South Asian subcontinents, aged 45-70, who have one or more parents with AD. Study participants will complete a series of assessments for factors that have been linked to AD. These include study visits every two years, involving surveys, cognitive assessments, language assessments, motor function tasks, blood tests, physical and neurological exams, and brain imaging.

Now enrolling!

Latinx populations are one of the fastest-growing groups of older adults in the US with increased risk for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). Brazilian immigrants are a Latinx group that has been growing in the U.S. but is highly underrepresented in health-related research in the U.S. Therefore, little is known about their risk and protective factors for ADRD, which impedes optimal diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of ADRD in the Brazilian community. In addition, many Brazilian immigrants in the U.S. have limited health access/utilization and therefore can be at higher risk for cardiovascular diseases, brain/mental health disorders, and ADRD.

This study seeks to recruit Brazilian immigrants living in New Jersey and New York states. Candidates for the study should be at least 55 years old and speak Portuguese. Study participants will complete a series of assessments for factors that have been linked to ADRD. These include study visits involving questionnaires, cognitive tests, physical exams, and blood tests.

Why Participate in the Study?

• Help in establishing a reliable tool for measuring affiliate stigma
• Contribute to research that can improve support for caregivers
• Gain insights that could enhance caregiving experiences

📋 Eligibility Criteria:

• Adults 18+ years
• Of Indian origin
• Dementia caregivers
• Living in the United States

This study is now closed to enrollment

📧 For more information, reach out to: Anju Wadhawan, PhD student: aw933@sn.rutgers.eduDr. Olga Jarrín, PhD, RN: olga.jarrin@rutgers.edu

PI: Steven Malin, MPI: Michal Schnaider Beeri, MPI: Mary Sano, Co-I: Fred Kobylarz, Co-I:David Zald, Co-I: Liangyuan Hu, Lead site: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Other sites:Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

The Miller Lab is recruiting adults 60 years of age and older for a research study on Early Biomarkers of Cognitive Decline.

You may be eligible for this study if:

1. You are 60 years of age or older
2. You are cognitively healthy or cognitively impaired (including Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia)
3. You speak English
4. You can travel to the Rutgers Campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway.

If you are eligible and agree to participate, you will be asked to complete three in-person appointments, approximately one hour each:

1. Consent and a cognitive function assessment
2. Video recording of the blood vessels in the eye and a fasting blood draw
3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain scan

Participants will receive a $50 gift card for completing the study.
Thank you for considering this research opportunity. If you have any questions, please contact us at miller.lab@sebs.rutgers.edu.