Cognition and dementia biomarkers in bipolar disorder

Summary

Preliminary research suggests that bipolar disorder and certain types of dementia may be linked. Dementia-related changes are not well understood in bipolar disorder and are difficult to disentangle from the symptoms of bipolar disorder itself. This study is designed to uncover whether certain cognitive tests may be useful as screening tools for early detection of dementia in individuals with bipolar disorder. We are examining this by looking at the relationships between these cognitive tests, dementia biomarkers, and dementia-associated genes in individuals with bipolar disorder.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:
1) Complete a series of questionnaires and pen-and-paper tasks designed to assess your thinking skills;
2) Have your blood drawn to look for specific biomarkers of neurodegenerative disease.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 50 to 100

Inclusion criteria:

To participate in this study, you must:

1) Have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder
2) Currently have a stable, neutral mood
3) Be 50 years of age or older
4) Be fluent in written and oral English
5) Have normal or corrected-to-normal hearing and vision

Exclusion criteria:

You cannot participate in this study if you have:

1) Had a stroke or brain injury
2) Severe dementia

Participate

Fill out the following form if you want to participate in this research

Method of contact

UCalgary Notice of Collection
The University of Calgary (UCalgary) respects your privacy and is committed to ensuring the privacy of all students, staff, and community members. Your personal information is being collected under the authority of section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA). It will be collected, used and disclosed for the purposes outlined in UCalgary’s Notice of Collection, Use and Disclosure of Personal Information and managed in accordance with UCalgary’s Privacy Management Program. Your personal information may be input into automated systems to generate content or make decisions, recommendations, or predictions. If you have questions regarding this notice or UCalgary’s collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, please contact accessandprivacy@ucalgary.ca.

Additional information

Contact information

Please contact Stephen (Ben) Peckham: stephen.peckham@ucalgary.ca

Principal investigator:

Brandy Callahan

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB20-0046