Minority Volunteer and Patient Participation Opportunities

The Minority Gateway Satellite Clinic is located in the African-American community and evaluates and follows minority subjects (primarily African Americans) with or without memory and thinking problems and provides culturally sensitive care to patients and support to families.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

• A disease that causes a gradual loss of brain cells and decline in thinking skills
• The leading cause of dementia among those age 65 and older
• More prevalent with a greater risk among African Americans
• Alzheimer’s disease is a silent epidemic among African Americans!

Minority Study Opportunities

The UK-Alzheimer’s Disease Center is seeking volunteers for clinical studies. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to ongoing research in the areas of Alzheimer's disease and normal aging for any and all interested participants. Participants are seen at our Minority Gateway Clinic in north Lexington and/or the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Clinic.

Most experts agree that we may be able to find better treatments, and possibly cures for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, in the next decade, but only with the continued support of research participants like you and your loved ones.

We hope you will consider this unique opportunity to contribute to our ongoing research efforts. Please help us to realize a day when Alzheimer's disease is nothing more than a memory - well preserved!

Participation is open to persons of all genders, racial backgrounds, and ethnicities. Minority participants are encouraged to enroll. Enrolled participants will also learn about other research opportunities for which they may be eligible.

Who Can Participate?

1. Participants Without Memory or Thinking Problems
   • Must be 65 years or older
   • Have no history of neurological disease (stroke, Parkinson's disease, history of brain infection, multiple sclerosis...)
   • Are willing to undergo annual examination
2. Participants With Memory or Thinking Problems (patients who have transitioned from normal, preclinical AD our MCI, to AD or other dementias)
   • May be of any age
   • Must have a responsible caregiver or informant who is willing to accompany them to their research appointments and
   • Are willing to undergo annual examination

What Happens if I Enroll?

Ongoing care is provided free of charge to enrolled participants.* At the UK-Alzheimer's Disease Center we are staffed by neurologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, and other staff to support you and your family. The family support and educational services provided as part of your research participation are free of charge. These are often the most important services we provide to help keep you and your loved ones enjoying the maximal quality of life one can experience, while facing the difficulties experienced as a result of progressive memory and thinking impairment.

• You will be scheduled for memory testing and a physical examination at the Minority Gateway Satellite Clinic or at the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Clinic.
• If you can't travel to the center, don't worry. In-home visits are available for those with physical disabilities, or those that cannot make it into the center for an appointment.
• You will visit with one of our expert neurologists as part of this visit. Issues that are important to you will be discussed confidentially. This visit will take about 2 to 3 hours in total, and will be repeated each year.

Will I Benefit from Participating in a Study?

Participation in this program is primarily a contribution to research done for the good of mankind, for our children, and our children's children so that they never know the pain of watching a loved one suffer from Alzheimer's disease. However, our staff physicians and personnel will always be there for you to help with any medical/neurological problems or memory/thinking problems you may have or be at risk for, or develop in the future.

• You may not benefit directly from participating in this research program, however medical needs will be addressed that may be of interest to you.
• Appropriate state-of-the-art treatment will be provided by the study physicians to address your medical needs.*
• If we find any evidence of memory decline, you will be notified and appropriate evaluation and treatment will be coordinated with your local physician, or with one of the study doctors.*
• Our quarterly newsletters and semi-annual town-hall meetings will keep you informed of the latest medical advances that may help prevent the development of AD, and promote normal healthy brain aging for all.

What Will it Cost to Participate?

There is no cost to you or your family for any of these activities.*

*Study physician time and expertise will never be billed to you or your insurance company. If additional diagnostic testing is needed to address any medical issues that are not covered in our research study budget, they may be billed to your insurance company, if you agree to the testing. If you have no insurance coverage, treatments provided may need to be paid for directly by you. We will always work within your insurance and prescription plan to minimize any direct costs to you.

How to Reach Us

• Initial Evaluations for Memory Loss at two locations in Lexington. For more information, phone (859) 323-5550 or email Jeffrey Howe.
• Normal Aging Study. For more information, phone (859) 323-5550 or email Jeffrey Howe.
• Free Memory Screenings on the third Tuesday of each month at the UK Polk-Dalton Clinic. Contact Typer Schnieders at (859) 323-6316 for more information.

Where Can you Find our Services?

UK Polk-Dalton Clinic

Address 217 Elm Tree Lane University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40507

Map and Driving Directions Here

Go to the Minority Outreach for more information about our programs.