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), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Huntington’s disease (HD), as well as individuals who are healthy. The study will take place at a single visit lasting approximately 4-5 hours and will include five behavior-related tasks, questionnaires with the participant and their study partner, and a physical exam.
What is the purpose of the PAVES Study?
The purpose of the PAVES study is to better understand how changes in the brain 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 and using data learned from participation in different tasks, the hope is to improve knowledge about the biological bases for neuropsychiatric symptoms. This knowledge can eventually help us learn how to manage symptoms and implement effective personalized treatments.
Eligibility
This study seeks 150 individuals between the ages of 40-90 years old who have an eligible neurodegenerative disorder diagnosis or who are healthy. 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.
