Researchers at the University of Utah are seeking at least 10 patients age 50 and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s to participate in a national trial of an experimental medication.

The drug is aimed at nerve damage and inflammation in the brain that can lead to progressive memory loss and behavioral changes in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

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The Utah portion of the study is led by Edward Y. Zamrini, associate professor of neurology at the U School of Medicine. He is also director of clinical trials at the Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging and Research, one of 40 centers across the nation in the study.

People interested in joining the industry-sponsored trial can contact the study line at (801) 587-7888.

Doctors and nurses will monitor the participants during regular visits and measure the severity and progression of disease using standard tests of functional and cognitive abilities.

Neither the researchers nor the participants will know who is receiving the study drug and who is getting the placebo.

Doctors also will examine biological markers of the disease, through scans and other testing, Zamrini said in a statement.

A protein called amyloid beta builds up in plaque deposits and can trigger inflammation in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. The trial will test an experimental drug that seeks to stop amyloid beta from binding to a receptor in the brain called RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts).

The drug has been tested in animals and in preliminary human studies. This Phase II clinical trial is intended to determine whether it will slow the progressive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The 18-month study is being conducted by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study, a consortium of leading researchers supported by the National Institute on Aging.

“Progress in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s would just not be possible without the dedication of the patients and families who volunteer for clinical trials,” said Neil Buckholtz, Ph.D., chief of the NIA Dementias of Aging Branch, in a statement.

Resources on the Web

– The Center for Alzheimer’ Care, Imaging and Research invites thosse interested in its memory-related research to register online at www.utahmemory.org. Click on the “Join Our Research” link to the left.

– To view a list of the research sites or for information on dementia and aging, go to http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers.

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune

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