Texas Alzheimer's Research and Care Consortium
http://www.txalzresearch.org/
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is one of five Texas Alzheimer’s Research & Care Consortium (TARCC) sites, the others being Baylor College of Medicine (Houston), UT-Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas), UT Health Science Center – San Antonio, and University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. The TARCC was established by the State of Texas to learn more about the origins, progression, detection, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by looking at genes and blood chemicals. The TARCC is now specifically looking at how Alzheimer’s disease may differ by ethnicity and geographic location, prompting a partnership with Project FRONTIER.
What is involved in the study?
The study takes approximately two hours once a year and involves blood work, interviews, and memory testing. Most TARCC participants go through the study at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, but are also running Mexican-American participants through the Project FRONTIER research platform in Cochran and Parmer Counties.
Why should I participate?
Because people are living longer, they need to gain a better understanding of diseases of aging and how to treat them. Participation will aid in this effort by helping us understand how genes and chemicals in the blood are related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Who is eligible to participate?
Inclusion Criteria:
- 50 years old or older
- A diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, or normal cognition based on reliable informant report
- An available informant to answer questions
- An MMSE score ≥ 16
- Able to provide medical information
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of stroke
- Current cancer that affects memory or thinking
- Other neurological disease (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke)
- Acute or chronic inflammatory disorder (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatic) or chronic urinary infection
- Known blood relationship to a patient in the TARCC study
For more information about TARCC and how to participate, please contact:
Larry Hill, (806) 743-4999, ext. 228 – general TARCC information
Vicki Ramirez, (806) 743-5604 – Mexican American outreach/participation