What is the PAVES Study?
The Positive and Negative Valence Emotional Systems (PAVES) study is an observational study exploring the emotional processing in individuals with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Huntington’s disease (HD), as well as individuals who do not have dementia. Participants must have already completed the NAPS study, including an MRI, to be eligible for PAVES. The study will take approximately 2-3 hours and will include five behavior-related tasks and several questionnaires.
What is the purpose of the PAVES Study?
The purpose of the PAVES study is to better understand how changes in the brain due to dementia are related to changes in mood and behavior. Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) are problems of crucial importance in the U.S. and around the world, especially as the population ages. By studying participants’ emotions, reviewing MRI scans, and using data learned from participation in different tasks, the hope is to improve knowledge about the bases for neuropsychiatric symptoms. By doing so, it can help patients and their families more effectively manage the symptoms and implement the most effective treatment for that person.
Eligibility
This study seeks 150 individuals between the ages of 40 -90 years old who have successfully completed the NAPS study. Upon completion of the NAPS study, the study team will invite a group of people to participate in the PAVES study.
Interested participants can contact the Memory and Aging Program Outreach Team at 401-455-6402 or by sending an email to memory@butler.org to discuss additional eligibility criteria.