Dr. JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D.
Claim this profileUniversity of Vermont
Studies Aging
Studies Menopause
3 reported clinical trials
5 drugs studied
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. is currently running
Cholinergic Antagonist
for Postmenopausal Cognitive Decline
Women are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Notably at menopause, some women experience a change in cognition. However, not all women experience negative effects of menopause on cognition. The cognitive changes that occur at menopause have not yet been connected to late life risk for pathological aging including AD. Thus, understanding the neurobiological factors related to individual differences in cognition at menopause is critical for understanding normal cognitive aging and for determining risk for pathological aging. The challenge in understanding the role of estrogen loss on the risk for AD is the long lag time between the hormonal changes at menopause and the clinical manifestations of AD. Thus, identifying how the hormone changes after menopause are related to AD risk will alter the risk calculus for postmenopausal women in the future. The novel study proposed here will examine an established AD-related neurotransmitter-based mechanism that may also underlie cognitive changes after menopause. The investigators propose that the change in the hormonal milieu at menopause interacts with the cholinergic system and other brain pathologies to influence a woman's risk for cognitive decline. Preclinical studies have shown that estrogen is necessary for normal cholinergic functioning and its withdrawal leads to cholinergic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. It is important to determine whether menopause-related cognitive changes correlate with both cholinergic functional integrity and established AD biomarkers that portend increased risk for late-life cognitive impairment or dementia. This study will examine brain functioning following cholinergic blockade to separate individuals into those who are able to compensate for the hormone change after menopause and those who are not. The investigators hypothesize women with poor compensation have increased sensitivity to cholinergic blockade by showing poor performance on a cognitive task, altered brain activation, and decreased basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) volume. These cholinergic markers will be related to menopausal factors associated with poor cognition and biomarkers of AD. Specific Aim 1 is to examine cholinergic functional "integrity" by measuring working memory performance, functional brain activation, and BFCS structure in postmenopausal women. Specific Aim 2 will examine whether individual differences in menopause-relevant symptoms and known AD biomarkers are related to cognition and brain activation after anticholinergic challenge. The public health significance of this study is that it will identify individual difference factors that are associated with cognitive performance changes after menopause and their relationship to structural, functional, and biomarker evidence of risk for later life cognitive dysfunction. Knowledge of these factors will serve to advance personalized future risk-mitigation strategies for women including hormonal, medication, cognitive remediation, etc. that will be the subject of further research.
Recruiting1 award Phase < 19 criteria
Fatty Acid Diets
for Aging
In this crossover study, the investigtors will administer two experimental diets in a random order for one week, and each experimental diet will be preceded by a one-week, low fat control diet for a total four-week study period. The goal is to study how the fatty acid content of the diet affects brain functioning in healthy adults aged 65-75 years. One experimental diet will have a high palmitic acid (PA)/oleic acid (OA) ratio (HPA), typical of the North American diet. The other experimental diet will have a low PA/OA ratio (HOA), typical of the Mediterranean Diet. All allowed food and drink (except water) will be provided by the investigative team, and compliance will be enhanced by constant, intense dietary surveillance by a registered dietitian.
Recruiting1 award N/A
More about JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D.
Clinical Trial Related1 year of experience running clinical trials · Led 3 trials as a Principal Investigator · 2 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. has experience with
- Estrogen
- Placebo
- Cholinergic Antagonist
- High Oleic Acid Diet
- High Palmitic Acid Diet
Breakdown of trials JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. has run
Alzheimer's Disease
Postmenopausal Syndrome
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to participate in a trial?
Almost all clinical trials will cover the cost of the ‘trial drug’ — so no insurance is required for this. For trials where this trial drug is given alongside an already-approved medication, there may be a cost (which your insurance would normally cover).
What does JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. specialize in?
JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. focuses on Aging and Menopause. In particular, much of their work with Aging has involved treating patients, or patients who are undergoing treatment.
Is JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. currently recruiting for clinical trials?
Yes, JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. is currently recruiting for 2 clinical trials in Burlington Vermont. If you're interested in participating, you should apply.
Are there any treatments that JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. has studied deeply?
Yes, JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. has studied treatments such as Estrogen, Placebo, Cholinergic antagonist.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D.?
Apply for one of the trials that JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. is conducting.
What is the office address of JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D.?
The office of JUlie A Dumas, Ph.D. is located at: University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05401 United States. This is the address for their practice at the University of Vermont.
Is there any support for travel costs?
The coverage of travel expenses can vary greatly between different clinical trials. Please see more financial detail in the trials you’re interested to apply.