Memory and the Aging Brain

Summary of Study:

For decades, it has been known that a loss of acetylcholine (ACh) is linked to cognitive decline in aging. However, medications boosting ACh have only modest effects on symptoms. To improve treatments, it is essential to understand cholinergic changes in aging, how structural changes affect cognition, and identify early markers of decline. Our study uses advanced imaging techniques and clinical tests to explore these changes. 

Brain Imaging 

This study involved brain imaging with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):

• PET imaging of the cholinergic system: We can assess the density of cholinergic neurons (neurons that communicate using acetylcholine) in every region of the brain.  A previous study examining cholinergic neurons in epilepsy can be found here.

• PET imaging of amyloid plaques: Amyloid build-up is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.   This can be assessed using PET.

• PET imaging of tau tangles: Tau is another protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.  It can also be measured with PET.

• structural MRI: Tells you the size and shape of every brain region.  See an example here.  (Different colors represent different brain regions.)  We have automated techniques (e.g., Freesurfer) to extract volume/thickness of each region. 

• diffusion MRI: Allows us to measures the strength of connectivity between regions of the brain.  Read more about it here.

Participant Questionnaires

Our participants complete the following surveys:

Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Mini Mental State Examination

Clinical Dementia Rating

Activities of Daily Living

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

AD8 Dementia Screening

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire

Geriatric Health Questionnaire

Edinburgh Handedness Inventory

Insomnia Severity Index 

We also perform computer-based tests of cognition including: Motor Praxis Test, Penn Face Memory Test, Emotion Recognition Test, Penn Word Memory Test, Short Penn Continuous Performance Test – Numbers / Letters, Short Visual Object Learning Test, Variable Short Penn Line Orientation Test.  They are described here.

Study Coordinators 

Nichole Hoehn

Alexis Whitman

Wendy Zhang

Study Clinicians

Colleen Oliva, N.P.

Nikhil Palekar, M.D.

Min-Jeong Kim, M.D., Ph.D.