Additional Research Opportunities

Neurodevelopment in Families with Dementia

This study is enrolling children and young adults from families with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) caused by genetic variants. The purpose of this study is to better understand brain development in families with dementia. Brain development in persons from genetic FTD and AD families will also be compared to persons from neurodiverse populations.

Connect2caregivers

The Connect2Caregivers Research Study is being done to develop a unique matching process for caregivers of persons living with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). This study will help researchers determine whether caregivers of persons with dementia would find a technology-based matching program valuable for locating another caregiver for peer-to-peer support, and if algorithmic matches are more beneficial than random ones.

For more information or to complete an eligibility screening, email connect2caregivers@mayo.edu.

Automated speech assessment for diagnosis of FTD spectrum disorders

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related diseases often causes changes to a patient’s speech and language, which makes speech recordings an ideal target for a digital tool to aid the diagnosis of FTD. This NIH funded study aims to record speech and language assessments from many patients with FTD or at risk of FTD as well as other neurologic conditions that need to be differentiated from FTD. The recordings are done at home, using participants’ own devices, through a speech and language exam that is hosted on a Mayo Clinic website. The recordings will be used to develop a machine learning algorithm that can help clinicians detect and monitor FTD.

For more information, email the study team SPEECHNAIP@mayo.edu