Background

Scientists have learned that a build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain is neurotoxic (which means it is bad for brain cells) causing brain cells to degenerate and die leading to subsequent memory loss/dementia. We are conducting several studies to see if a study medication can remove the amyloid plaque present in the brain and  whether removing this plaque can either stop or slow the loss of memory.

Criteria to participate

Some of the criteria patients must satisfy to participate are:

• Age between 50 and 85 years old
• Have a study partner (i.e. someone who is with you for 8 hours or more each week and would be willing to come to the study center about twice a year with you)
• Demonstrate a mild level of memory loss with testing
• Have a positive PET (brain scan) for amyloid plaque
• Able to have an MRI scan (that is no metal in your head or upper torso)
• Has no medical conditions which may also cause memory loss (e.g. Parkinson’s, uncontrolled sleep apnea, and history or stroke)

About the Study

Once the study criteria are met, the patient will receive either the study medication or a placebo for the duration of the study; neither the patient nor the doctor will know which is assigned. The study medication is injected into a vein in your arm, administered once a month over about 1½ hours. During the study, MRI scans of the brain are repeated and once each year, a amyloid PET scan is conducted. The study will last 18 to 24 months. After completion of the main study, all patients are offered real medication (no placebo) for 2 years or until the medication is available on the market. There is no cost to the patient for medical care provided in the study nor for any of the scans, memory testing, or medication.

Current Studies

We are currently conducting the following studies with medications which seek to remove brain amyloid plaque

You may use the NCT number to learn more about the study we are conducting by going to clinicaltrials.gov and entering the number in the search bar.

Background

Scientists have learned that a build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain is neurotoxic (which means it is bad for brain cells) causing brain cells to degenerate and die leading to subsequent memory loss/dementia. We are conducting a study with a medication which blocks the production of new amyloid protein to see if it can reduce the formation of amyloid plaque in the brain and whether it can either stop or slow the loss of memory.

Criteria to participate

Some of the criteria patients must satisfy to participate are:

• Age between 50 and 85 years old
• Have a study partner (i.e. someone who is with you for 8 hours or more each week and would be willing to come to the study center about twice a year with you)
• Demonstrate a mild level of memory loss when tested
• Have a positive PET (brain scan) for amyloid plaque
• Able to have an MRI scan (that is no metal in your head or upper torso)
• Taking a stable dose of Alzheimer’s medications for 3 months or more
• No history of stroke in the past 12 months

About the Study

Once the study criteria are met, the patient will receive either the study medication or a placebo for the duration of the 24 month study; neither the patient nor the doctor will know which is assigned. The study medication is a tablet which is taken once a day. During the study, brain MRI scans are done once yearly and a amyloid PET scan is performed at the beginning and end of the study. Once the main study is completed, all patients are then offered real medication (no placebo) until the medication is approved for use on the market. There is no cost to the patient for medical care provided in the study nor for any of the scans, memory testing, or medication.

Current Studies

We are currently conducting the following study with a medication which seeks to block production of amyloid protein used in forming brain plaque

You may use the NCT number to learn more about the study we are conducting by going to clinicaltrials.gov and entering the number in the search bar.

Background

Scientists have learned that a build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain is neurotoxic (which means it is bad for brain cells) and can cause brain cells to degenerate and die leading a loss of brain cells and subsequent memory loss. We are conducting a study to see if a study medication which is designed to remove amyloid plaque from the brain alone or in combination with a study medication which blocks the production of amyloid products can effectively remove amyloid plaque in the brain and whether it can either stop or slow down the loss of memory.

Criteria to participate

Some of the criteria patients must satisfy to participate are:

• Be between 60 and 85 years old
• Have a study partner (i.e. someone who is with you 10 hours or more each week and would be willing to come to the center at selected visits or speak with investigators on the phone)
• Demonstrate a mild level of memory loss when tested
• Have a positive PET (brain scan) for amyloid plaque
• Have a positive PET scan for tau protein
• Can have an MRI (that is, no metal in your head or upper torso and not claustrophobic)
• Has no medical conditions which may also cause memory loss

About the Study

Once the study criteria are met, the patient will receive either the study medication which is designed to remove amyloid plaque alone, or in combination with an inhibitor of amyloid protein production or a placebo for the duration of the study; neither the patient nor the doctor will know which is assigned. The patient will have study medication or placebo infused into an arm vein every 4 weeks and will take a pill daily for the 76 week duration of the study. During the study, MRI scans of the brain and amyloid and tau PET scans will be obtained. There is no cost to the patient for study-related medical care or for any of the scans, memory testing, or medication required in the study.

Current Studies

We are currently conducting the following study with 2 medications, one which seeks to remove brain amyloid plaque and one which blocks production of amyloid products.

You may use the NCT number to learn more about the study we are conducting by going to clinicaltrials.gov and entering the number in the search bar.