Overview
 By being part of a clinical trial, you can help move research forward.
Without clinical trials, there can be no better treatments, no prevention and no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Scientists work constantly to find better ways to treat diseases, but improved treatments can never become a reality without testing in clinical trials with human volunteers.
Today, at least 50,000 volunteers, both with and without Alzheimer's disease, are urgently needed to participate in more than 100 actively enrolling clinical trials about Alzheimer's and related dementias. Recruiting and retaining trial participants is now the greatest obstacle, other than funding, to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments.
Benefits of clinical trials
Participating in clinical trial has the potential to help both the individual participant and other individuals who have Alzheimer's or are at risk of developing it.
- You can play a more active role in your own health care.
- You can gain access to potential treatments before they are widely available.
- You can receive expert medical care at leading healthcare facilities — often free of cost — while participating in important medical research.
- You can help future generations — your children and grandchildren — by contributing to Alzheimer's research.
Back to top
Risks of participation
Patient safety is the most important aspect of every Alzheimer's disease clinical trial. The procedures for each study are reviewed by an expert committee not directly involved in the trial. This helps ensure that patient safety is protected.
There are risks, however, to clinical trials:
- There may be unpleasant or even serious side effects related to the potential treatments(s) being studied.
- The experimental treatment may not be effective.
Details of risks related to participation in the clinical study are spelled out in the consent form participants (or their proxies) sign when they agree to participate.
Reasons for optimism
No new treatment advances to the clinical testing phase unless there is strong evidence indicating it will be as effective as, or more effective than, currently available therapies.
Every clinical trial contributes valuable knowledge, whether or not the treatment works as hoped.
Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter
Stay up-to-date on the latest advances in Alzheimer's treatments, care and research. Subscribe now Participants receive a high standard of care
All participants receive regular care related to the trial and opportunities to talk to clinical trial staff. Research shows that people involved in clinical trials tend to do somewhat better than people in a similar stage of their disease who are not enrolled in clinical trials, regardless of whether the experimental treatment works. Scientists believe this advantage may be due to the general high quality of care provided during clinical trials.
Help move Alzheimer's research forward by volunteering to be part of a clinical trial today. Visit Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch online or call 1-800-272-3900.
Next: Talk to Your Doctor »
|
