STIM+: PET Biomarker Education & Disclosure

Stimulation to Improve Memory: PET Education & Disclosure

When dementia is caused by AD, we refer to it as dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (DAT). The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and DAT is advancing age, but DAT is not a normal part of aging. Studies have shown that changes in the brain happen before full symptoms of DAT develop. These changes include a buildup of two proteins within the brain, called amyloid and tau. The two goals of this study are

(1) to determine whether patients with mild cognitive impairment or dementia-Alzheimer's type (DAT) are able to demonstrate decisional capacity to engage in PET amyloid and tau disclosure after receiving education; and (2) to assess how patients and care partners react to PET amyloid and tau biomarker disclosure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Enrolled in the Stimulation to Improve Memory Study (NCT03875326).
• Completed PET scan with amyloid and/or tau tracer success.
• Demonstrates decision-making capacity to engage in PET disclosure, or has a care partner in attendance that demonstrates decision-making capacity for the participant to engage in disclosure
• If diagnosed with DAT: must have a cognitively intact study partner (i.e., their care partner)
• If diagnosed with MCI: strongly recommended to have a cognitively intact study partner (i.e., their care partner)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active diagnosis of moderate depression or anxiety without treatment
• Newly diagnosed neurologic disease (since completion of Stimulation to Improve Memory Study activities)