Scientists are learning a lot about the cause of Alzheimer’s Disease. At first, the focus was on the build-up of amyloid plaque in the brain. Amyloid plaque appears to be a primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease. It causes the gradual destruction of brain cells and as the number of lost cells mount, short-term memory loss occurs. We have studied several anti-amyloid drugs over the past 6 years; two of them are currently on the market for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Recently, the focus has shifted to the protein tau. This protein unravels in patients with Alzheimer’s disease leading to brain cell death and memory loss. Further, a fragment of this diseased tau (called a tau seed) travels from the dying brain cell to adjutant brain cells carrying the disease with it which results in the destruction of even more brain cells and produces even more memory loss. Anti-tau medications are currently under study with the hope that they will slow or, even better, actually stop the loss of memory.
We are currently conducting several studies with anti-tau therapies as well as studies evaluating the combination of an anti-amyloid and anti-tau medication. These studies provide a complete medical evaluation at no cost to the volunteer including memory testing, a MRI evaluation, and a PET scan (to see if there is any amyloid plaque or tau in the brain). To learn more about the studies, fill out an interest form. Then you will be invited to come for a free visit with one or our doctors who will describe the advancements we are making, tell you more about the studies we are conducting, and conduct a short memory evaluation. By the time you leave, you will be better able to interpret the symptoms you are experiencing and know the options available to address these problems.
To learn more about the studies we are enrolling, visit our Alzheimer’s Research Center website at www.alzresearch.net.
50-85
Have a Study Partner (i.e. a person that is with you 8 hours each week)
No stroke or seizure in the last 12 months
Can have an MRI
Over 1 Year (varies)
Varies for Patient; Varies for Caregiver
Want to participate? Fill out the interest form! Click to Call Us!