Research trials

Why participate in research

By being part of a clinical trial, you have the potential to help both yourself and future generations who may be at risk for Alzheimer's disease. Many patients feel that being part of a clinical trial allows them to play a more active role in their healthcare.

Clinical trials increase our understanding about a disease and is how all new treatments are developed and demonstrated to be safe and effective. The first patient to be cured of Alzheimer's disease will likely be in a clinical trial. By being part of a clinical trial, you can help to make a difference.

Positive aspects of research:

• Combat the feeling of helplessness by contributing to the prevention or treatment of a disease.
• Learn more about your disease.
• Gain access to new treatments before they are widely available.

Challenges of research:

• Some studies require a significant time commitment.
• There are likely to be strict requirements for joining a study, so you may not be able to participate in some studies.
• Many studies randomly assign participants to receive the study drug or a placebo (inactive substance), and you will not know which group you have been assigned to until the very end of the study.

Current clinical trials

Bristol Myers Squibb Target Tau Research Study

Clinical Trial Title:
Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of an Anti-MTBR Tau Monoclonal Antibody (anti-MTBR Tau monoclonal antibody’) in Participants with Early Alzheimer’s Disease (TargetTau-1)

Clinical Trial ID:
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06268886

Site Principal Investigator:
Darren Gitelman, MD

Study description:
This is a 76-week study of anti-MTBR Tau monoclonal antibody’ (study drug) given intravenously (IV) to participants with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) every 4 weeks for 18 months. The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of the study drug. Approximately 475 participants will be randomized to receive either placebo (40%), a low dose of the study drug (30%), or a high dose of the study drug (30%). Clinic visits will occur every 4 weeks until the end of the study.

Some eligibility criteria:

Eligible participants include people who:

• Are 50 to 80 years old
• Clinical diagnosis of mild AD dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD.
• Identified study partner

You will not be able to participate if you have:

• A neurological condition that may be contributing to cognitive impairment aside from the AD diagnosis.
• Any psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, major depression, or bipolar disorder) or symptoms (e.g., hallucinations or delusions) that could interfere with study assessments
• Previous exposure to anti-amyloid therapy (including monoclonal antibodies such as aducanumab, lecanemab or donanemab).
• Malignant neoplasms within 3 years of screening.

This is only a partial list of eligibility criteria.

Learn more about TargetTau-1 by contacting Corey O’Connor at corey.oconnor@aah.org or 847-723-8927.

PREVENTABLE Research Study

Clinical Trial Title:
PRagmatic EValuation of evENTS And Benefits of Lipid-lowering in OldEr Adults (PREVENTABLE)

Clinical Trial ID:
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04262206

Site Principal Investigator:
Darren Gitelman, MD

Study description:
The goal of the PREVENTABLE study is to learn if taking a statin medication could help older adults live longer by preventing dementia, disability or heart disease. A statin is a medication commonly used to lower cholesterol.

Study participants will be randomly assigned (50:50 chance) to take a commonly used heart medication, atorvastatin, or a placebo tablet by mouth, once a day, for up to five years. Participants will have blood tests, will do brief cognitive (thinking) and physical tests, and have a yearly 30 min follow-up phone call.

Participating in PREVENTABLE is designed to be easy and should not interfere with your day-to-day activities. If you are eligible and decide to join PREVENTABLE, you will receive $75 after you enroll and $50 every year following the annual follow-up call for up to five years.

Eligibility:
You may be a good fit for the study if you are 75 years or older, not taking a statin, and do not have:

• Heart disease (heart attack or stroke)
• Dementia
• A significant disability that limits your basic everyday activities

This is only a partial list of eligibility criteria.

Learn more about PREVENTABLE at elizabeth.omotoye@aah.org or 847-723-3631

---

Find out more about becoming a research participant.