MULTIVERSE (MULTIlingualism in socio-demographically and linguistically diVERSE populations)

The UCSF site serves as the leading site for the Lingua-Multiverse project, focusing specifically on Chinese American cohorts. Located at the UCSF Mission Bay Campus, this site provides a central hub for project activities and research engagements.

As the primary site for the Lingua project, UCSF plays a crucial role not only as a central hub but also as a major data source. Here, participants are guided through a series of essential tasks designed to gather comprehensive data for our Alzheimer's research. These include undergoing MRI scans, blood draws, cognitive assessments, neurological examinations, and completing various questionnaires. Each component is meticulously carried out by our skilled team, ensuring that we collect high-quality, reliable data to further our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.

Our Study Components: 

Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A brain MRI will be conducted at the Neuroimaging Center, University of California, San Francisco, Mission Bay campus, usually lasting between 1 to 2 hours. Prior to the MRI, a thorough screening for any metal objects on the body is performed to ensure safety around the MRI's magnetic field, often requiring a change into a gown. During the scan, the individual lies on a narrow bed within a tunnel, remaining still, often feeling warmth. The MRI produces loud noises; however, earplugs and headphones are provided for noise reduction. Women of childbearing age are required to have a pregnancy test beforehand. 

Blood Draw

Up to 20 teaspoons of blood will be collected from a vein in your arm for laboratory tests, without the need for fasting before the appointment. These tests aim to assess your overall health and examine neurodegenerative-related biomarkers (proteins) in your blood.

Cognitive Test

Neurological, cognitive, and behavioral assessments include paper, pencil, and computer/tablet-based tests, as well as surveys involving judgments about sounds, visuals, and objects. This comprehensive evaluation process, which can take between 3-6 hours, may be completed in stages within a month. If these assessments uncover any medical conditions that might disqualify you from continuing in the study, the research team will inform you and seek your consent to discuss these findings. Should you want your physician to receive the evaluation results, you will need to sign a consent form authorizing the disclosure of your medical information. 

Surveys

There will be two surveys conducted: the Language Survey and the SDOH Survey. The Language Survey examines individuals' language backgrounds, usage habits, and daily interactions, providing a valuable measure of language proficiency. The SDOH Survey, short for Social Determinants of Health, assesses the various conditions in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. These conditions significantly influence one's health outcomes, functioning, and quality of life. Together can help us identify factors from language and daily life that influence the brain's capacity to adapt to age-related variations.