Swallowing Impairments in Adults With and Without Alzheimer's Disease
Eligible age
60+ yrs
Accepts
All genders
Locations
1 state
Healthy volunteers
Yes
See if you qualify for this study
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About this study
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.
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
You may qualify if…
- ✓ 1. adult ≥60 years old
- ✓ 2. diagnosis of AD by a neurologist (confirmed with imaging, spinal tap, behavioral testing)
- ✓ 3. no prior history of other neurological diseases (aside from stroke which has resolved with no current symptoms)
- ✓ 4. no prior history of respiratory diseases
- ✓ 5. no prior history of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region
- ✓ 6. consuming some form of oral intake
- ✓ 7. able to follow basic directions
- ✓ 8. able/willing to provide consent/assent.
You may not qualify if…
- ✕ 1. individual \<60 years old
- ✕ 2. Diagnosis of another type of dementia
- ✕ 3. History of neurological/respiratory diseases
- ✕ 4. History of head and neck surgery/head and neck cancer/radiation to head and neck region
- ✕ 5. not consuming any oral intake
- ✕ 6. Unable to follow basic directions
- ✕ 7. 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.
- ✕ 1. not the primary caregiver of an individual with AD
Where it's recruiting
Nashville
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · NCT06678100 · last updated 2026-05-08