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.
This study will involve one in-person research visit that will last approximately 1-1.5 hours and will consist of a screening, cough testing, swallow function testing, assessments of hand grip and tongue strength, and completion of questionnaires. Caregivers of those with Alzheimer's disease will also complete questionnaires.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
240
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
RECRUITINGSwallowing safety
The penetration aspiration scale is a validated 8-point ordinal rating scale that measures the depth of airway invasion and the patient's response during swallowing. Scores range from 1 to 8 with a score of 1 indicating a safe swallow (best score) and 8 indicating silent aspiration (worst score).
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Voluntary cough peak expiratory flow
A measure of cough strength
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment
Grip strength
Grip strength be used to quantify clinical frailty using a digital hand dynamometer.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Tongue strength
Tongue strength will be assessed using the Iowa Oral Pressure Instrument (IOPI).
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Swallowing and Eating Related Fatigue Questionnaire (SERF)
Scores on the SERF range 0-48 with higher scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Swallowing Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL)
Scores on the SWAL-QOL range from 0-100 with lower scores indicating greater impairment.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Eating Assessment Tool 10 (EAT-10)
The EAT-10 contains 10 questions (score range: 0-40), higher scores indicate greater impairment.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Caregiver Analysis of Reported Experiences with Swallowing Disorders (CARES) Questionnaire
Scores on the CARES range from 0-26 with higher scores indicating greater caregiver burden.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Scores range from 0-16 with higher scores indicating greater caregiver burden
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
3 oz water swallow test
Participants will be given a cup of three ounces of water and instructed to drink the water continuously. Fail criteria includes interrupted drinking and/or coughing/throat clearing during or immediately following the drinking task.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Reflex cough
Participants will undergo reflex cough testing.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
Screening for Oral Frailty Tool (SOFT)
Oral frailty will be assessed as present/absent using the Screening for Oral Frailty Tool.
Time frame: During baseline visit at time of enrollment.
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