Concerned about Alzheimer’s -related memory loss? You may be eligible for a clinical trial.
Loss of memory may seem like an unavoidable part of aging, but when accompanied by an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it’s natural for patients to seek out ways to better understand it. Whether it’s you or someone you love experiencing memory loss, there are ways to get a clearer picture of its progression, and to help others at the same time. By participating in a clinical trial, those with memory loss help researchers better understand brain changes and potential new directions. You can help reshape Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
See If You Qualify
How Clinical Trials Work
Congratulations on being proactive about learning more about clinical trials!
A number of the largest pharmacology organizations, academic institutions, and private research facilities across the country are diligently working on developing treatments for Alzheimer’s in a variety of clinical trials every single day. Here’s a look at what an Alzeimer’s clinical trial might involve:
Primary InvestigatorA primary investigator, or PI, is the physician in charge of the clinical trial who is responsible for coordinating, managing and overseeing the clinical study. That individual carries out what is called a…
ProtocolThe protocol is a document that describes how the trial is designed, and outlines how it should be carried out by medical professionals.
Interventional vs. Non-Interventional
Clinical trials, also called research studies or clinical studies, can be either interventional, meaning that they test out an intervention, like a drug, procedure or medical device, or they can be non-interventional studies (sometimes called observational studies). They differ because non-interventional studies don’t test potential treatments. Instead, researchers observe the participants over a period of time, and track health outcomes.
Who Can Participate
Here’s a look at some of the qualifications that interested potential participants need to meet in order to join a clinical research study for Alzheimer’s disease:
Be between 50 - 80 years old
Have a confirmed diagnosis of—or are suspected to have—any form of memory loss, including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Have a caregiver who would be willing to act as your research study partner and attend all sessions with you for the duration of a clinical trial
Learn more about if you may be eligible for participation in an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial.
Understanding Memory Loss1.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect social and intellectual abilities profoundly enough that it interferes with daily function.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and is a disease that develops slowly, but gradually worsens over time. It affects most areas of the brain, including thinking, memory, judgment, language, personality, problem-solving and movement, and its progression looks different in every patient living with the disease.
1. Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease
There are five stages associated with Alzheimer’s disease:2.
Preclinical
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Due to Alzheimer’s Disease
Mild Dementia Due to
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Moderate Dementia Due to
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
Severe Dementia Due to
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s Disease
On average, patients with Alzheimer’s Disease live between 3 and 11 years after diagnosis, and the progression can vary widely. Untreated vascular risk factors like hypertension are associated with a more rapid rate of progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Do these symptoms sound like you or someone you love?
How is it treated?
There are several FDA-approved prescription drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s as well as for symptom management. Most of these FDA-approved drugs work best for people in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s, however at present, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. For this reason, many people have turned to clinical trials to shed more light on their condition, and how best to navigate it.3.
Hope for the futureEvery day, numerous research and pharmacological companies are studying new cures and treatments for Alzheimer’s and other cognitive-based diseases all across the country (and world!). Alzheimer’s trials play a key role in determining the efficacy of those treatments, and helping to get them to market.
4. Source: https://www.alz.org/
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Nearly seven million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that figure is expected to rise to close to 13 million.4.