Ongoing Studies

The Louisiana Aging Brain Study (LABrainS)

LABrainS is the cornerstone project of the IDRP and is essential to its success. The response from the community in participating and supporting LABrainS has been outstanding. The goal of this study is to enroll individuals over the age of 60 who do not currently show cognitive signs or symptoms of dementia.  Participants are administered objective assessments of cognitive performance on an annual basis, allowing for the early detection of cognitive decline associated with the onset of dementia. The longitudinal study affords researchers the opportunity to look at relationships between a variety of risk factors (genetics, diet, diabetes, mood, sleep, activity level etc.) and cognitive decline , and to begin to develop therapeutic strategies for the prevention of dementia. More on LABRAINS.

Jo Lamar Dementia Study (JLDS)

The purpose of JLDS is to individuals with an existing diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease or other forms of dementia for longitudinal study of disease progression.  Subjects who are enrolled are drawn from the community at large as well as those from the LABrainS who begin to show early signs of a memory disturbance.  Subjects are evaluated annually using both subjective and objective measures of disease progression.  This longitudinal study affords researchers the opportunity to look at relationships between a variety of risk factors (genetics, diet, obesity, diabetes, sleep, activity level etc.) and rate and severity of disease progression.  It also allows investigators to begin developing thera[eutic strategies for slowing disease progression. A natural secondary objective of the study will be met by establishing a registry of well-cathegorized subjects for future clincial trials research.