Actively Recruiting
Swallowing Impairments in Adults With and Without Alzheimer's Disease
Led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center · Updated on 2026-05-08
240
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
145 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research study is investigating whether people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience more changes to swallowing than their healthy age-matched peers. The prevalence of swallowing impairments in moderate-severe AD is high (85-93%), yet little is known about how swallow function evolves throughout the disease course in people with AD. The overall objective of this study is to evaluate swallowing function in adults with and without Alzheimer's disease. The investigator will also be involving the primary caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's that are enrolled in the study to better understand the impact of swallowing impairments on the primary caregivers of those with Alzheimer's Disease. Healthy adults and individuals with Alzheimer's disease will: * undergo tests of cough and swallow function * undergo tests of grip and tongue strength * complete questionnaires Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease will also complete questionnaires.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Swallowing Impairments in Adults With and Without Alzheimer's Disease
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
Inclusion criteria for AD cohort:
- adult ≥60 years old
- diagnosis of AD by a neurologist (confirmed with imaging, spinal tap, behavioral testing)
- no prior history of other neurological diseases (aside from stroke which has resolved with no current symptoms)
- no prior history of respiratory diseases
- no prior history of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region
- consuming some form of oral intake
- able to follow basic directions
- able/willing to provide consent/assent.
Exclusion Criteria for AD Cohort:
- individual <60 years old
- Diagnosis of another type of dementia
- History of neurological/respiratory diseases
- History of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region
- not consuming any oral intake
- Unable to follow basic directions
- Unable to provide consent based on the University of California, San Diego Brief Assessment of Capacity to Consent (UBACC), score <15 OR provide assent and a legal guardian/health care decision maker provides consent.
Inclusion criteria for care partners of individuals with AD will be:
- care partner of an individual with AD
- willing to complete questionnaires/participate in an interview.
Exclusion Criteria for Caregivers of Individuals with AD:
- not the primary caregiver of an individual with AD
- unwilling to complete questionnaires/semi-structured interview
Inclusion criteria for community-dwelling adults will be:
- adult ≥60 years old
- no prior history of neurological diseases (aside from stroke which has resolved with no current symptoms)
- no prior history of respiratory diseases
3) no prior history of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region 4) no prior history of swallowing difficulties based on participant report. 5) Score ≥25th percentile based on sex/age/education/race on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)
Exclusion Criteria for Healthy Cohort:
- individual <60 years old
- history of neurological disease
- history of respiratory disease
- history of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region
- history of swallowing difficulties
- Score <25th percentile based on sex/age/education/race on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)
You will not qualify if you...
History of severe allergic reactions to study medication Currently pregnant or breastfeeding Recent participation in another clinical trial within the last 30 days Presence of uncontrolled medical conditions that could affect safety
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37232
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
C
Cara Donohue, PhD CCC-SLP
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here