Clemson University continues landmark dementia prevention research with NIH award

The Active Mind study aims to reduce dementia risk through brain training

By Mary Brock | mhbrock@clemson.edu

Researchers at Clemson University have received a grant across the next five years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Aging to continue groundbreaking work in dementia prevention through a clinical research study called Active Mind.

The Active Mind study is looking for volunteers who are aged 65 years or older or who have mild cognitive impairment to join the fight in dementia prevention. Persons who do not have dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, have not had a stroke or serious brain injury, but do have some problems with memory may qualify. Researchers are especially interested in enrolling African American and Hispanic American participants. African Americans and Hispanic Americans are at an increased risk for dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Active Mind study website, www.activemindstudy.com, or call (864) 916- 6220.

The Active Mind study examines whether computerized brain training can reduce risk of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia prevention research takes on increased urgency as no proven treatments exist to cure Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, which affects more than 5 million Americans.

The Active Mind study builds on research by the study scientists showing that certain computerized brain training may reduce risk of dementia by 29-48% across 10 years. While these results are encouraging, dementia was not clinically diagnosed in the study participants. Active Mind hopes to provide stronger evidence that computerized brain training can be used for Alzheimer’s prevention.

In the Active Mind study, researchers will determine which types of computerized brain training have the best chance to reduce dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.  Study sites include the University of South Florida, University of Florida, Clemson University, and University of California San Francisco in collaboration with University of Minnesota and Posit Science Corporation.

“So many of us have been touched by this disease, and interventions to prevent dementia are urgently needed. I am so proud to bring this work to the Upstate. I am asking for the public’s help through volunteering for this study. It is only through the dedication and collaboration with our participants that we are able to fight the battle against Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” said Lesley Ross, PhD, Professor and SmartLIFE Endowed Chair in Aging and Cognition in the Clemson University department of Psychology and Director of the Clemson Institute for Engaged Aging.

Active Mind participants will be asked to complete in-person study visits across two years and complete at least 40 hours of computerized exercises. Enrolled study participants will receive a free tablet. Those interested in the Active Mind study may participate at the Clemson University site in Seneca.

For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Active Mind study website, www.activemindstudy.com, or call (864) 916- 6220.

Research described in this announcement will be supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 1R01AG075014-01A1.

This content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.