Below is an overview of the study. It appears that signing up to take memory and thinking tests every 3 months does not obligate you to participate in any future enhanced memory assessment or clinical trials. (The consent form listed would cover that.) For those who enjoy online brain training and testing, this is another way to see some tools researchers use for cognitive testing, check out your own scores over time and, if interested, have access to a comprehensive assessment with imaging, if offered.
Full disclosure: The API is also the parent organization of the Generation I and II Studies for people with one or two copies of ApoE 4. I am in Generations I--but get no "finder's fee" for encouraging others to sign up for other initiatives like this one!!
Background: the National Institute on Aging has a new focus on identifying people who may be able and willing to participate in trials prior to the trial recruitment period, to speed up the process of getting study data complete and shared with other researchers. The NIA reported in Octoober 2018 that 270,000 people will be needed for over 200 clinical trial programs guidelines Together We Make the Difference! Participate in Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Clinical ResearchWhat is Involved:
...visiting the website: http://www.aptwebstudy.org
You will also be asked to review a consent form found on your online portal. Once you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete some brief questions about your life and medical history. This should take about 3 minutes to complete. Up next, you will be asked to complete computerized tests of your current memory and thinking abilities. These computerized tests will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Once you have completed these steps, this will be your first “visit” as a part of the APT Webstudy!
You will receive occasional reminder messages from the APT Webstudy, asking you to update your profile and to return for quarterly visits to retake the memory and thinking tests. These quarterly visits should take about 15 minutes to complete.
If we notice changes in your memory performance that show a possible increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s, you may be invited to visit a research clinic in your area that has partnered with the APT Webstudy to have additional testing performed.
The purpose of the Alzheimer Prevention Trials Webstudy (APT Webstudy) is to accelerate the enrollment for Alzheimer’s clinical trials by identifying and tracking individuals who may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s.
The ultimate goal of the webstudy is to develop a large standing, online group of individuals who will allow their memory and thinking test scores to be tracked over time.