Neuroimaging Initiative

Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

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With almost 500 participants, the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is the largest observational study of Alzheimer’s disease ever done. It has ambitious aims to develop an early-detection test for AD. This would allow researchers to work on early treatments — ones that might actually prevent the onset of AD symptoms.

Want to know more? Find out at CBS News.

About ADNI 4

  • The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is a research study that helps researchers and healthcare providers understand Alzheimer’s disease. The main goals are:
    • to improve how doctors diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease
    • to provide data to researchers around the world so that together we can find and improve treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The ADNI study began in 2004 and is a longitudinal research project, which means it studies people over many years. This is done to track changes in a person’s memory and thinking as they age. The physical changes that happen to a person’s brain over time are also studied. ADNI is an observational study, so no medications or treatments are given as part of the study.

This flyer summarizes the ADNI 4 study and its goals and sponsors. The video below provides a quick introduction to the study.

What Is the Impact of This Study?

  • When a participant joins ADNI, they help make a big impact on Alzheimer’s research. The data we collect helps us better understand aging, memory changes, and Alzheimer’s disease. The data is shared with the scientific community. This leads to important discoveries about brain aging in older adults. By studying brain aging in older adults and sharing the knowledge gained, Movement towards earlier diagnosis, better treatments, and an end to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can occur.
  • ADNI is one of the most important research studies in Alzheimer’s disease. More than 4,000 discoveries can be connected to ADNI since it began in 2004. ADNI participants continue to make huge contributions to science every year. Recently, ADNI data has been used for:
    • An FDA-approved test for the early detection of amyloid plaques in the brain, a potential precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. The test uses spinal fluid, which could remove the need for PET scans. Not using PET scans can save time and money.
    • A research breakthrough about APOE, a genetic marker that is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s. It was found that APOE has a relationship to late-onset Alzheimer’s. This discovery could lead to new ideas for treatments.
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that can predict if someone will eventually have Alzheimer’s disease. The technology was correct 88% of the time for North American patients and 84% of the time for Japanese patients in a study.

What happens at the visits?

  • ADNI is a 5-year study. It is the hope that participants will stay involved in ADNI for as long as possible. This will help increase information about brain health and aging over time.
    • Interested participants will complete a phone screen with a member of the study team to determine eligibility. If eligible, participants will return on a separate occasion to complete the first study visit.
    • Visits include completing memory and other thinking tests with expert medical staff. Participants will also be asked to provide blood and urine samples for the study team to analyze, and complete brain imaging scans (such as MRI and PET) which allow study teams to see pictures of a participant’s brain. There is also the option to complete one lumbar puncture, but this is not a requirement for participation. These tests are done at no cost to the participant and provide very important information to Alzheimer’s researchers.
    • The number of visits will be determined by which tests and procedures a participant will be completing. Typically, participants will come into the clinic once per year, usually for one or two days, if needed.

To learn more about the lumbar puncture and what it’s like to get this procedure, watch this Penn Memory Center video:

Where is this study taking place?

Boston University Medical Center

Meet the team

  • Michael Alosco, PhD – Principal Investigator
    Wendy Qiu, MD, PhD – Study Physician
  • Aine Montgomery, Community Research Liaison

More information

Contact information

  • Aine Montgomery, Community Research Liaison