by Rose Broyles

All across the country, sponsored private and university based studies are being conducted  to help find cures and improvements to Alzheimer’s Disease and other brain disorders.  This unassuming house below is actually the outpatient clinic for Synergy Clinical Research Group here in San Diego. I had the opportunity last week to sit down and speak with Shauna Blackmun, one of the marketing liaisons for this doctor-owned private research group. We discussed the nature of Synergy’s studies which include far more than just Alzheimer’s.  These are paid, volunteer research studies (FDA approved or pending approval)  and you can find out more about Synergy Research’s Programs here. While some may cringe at the idea of becoming a “guinea pig”, these studies are an important part of the process of fighting devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and truly benefit the participant and future patients.

Synergy Clinical Research, San Diego, CA

Alzheimer’s Studies in Progress

Head: Dr. Mohammad Bari – Geriatric Psychiatrist.

Studies in Progress: 2

Study 1 - ICARA

Current medications on the market focus on maximizing the remaining brain activity. This is a new investigational drug called bapineuzumab being tested on slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease itself.

Who is Eligible to Receive ICARA (Bapil)?

• Age 50-88
• Mild-Moderate Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
• Using Aricept regularly for at least three months or not taking any Alzheimer’s medication.
• No history of cancer
• Able to attend ALL office visits
• Lives with or spends long periods of time with a regular caregiver who is welling to attend all trial visits, oversee the patient’s compliance with instructions and report on the patient’s status.
  

What is Involved in the ICARA study?

• Participants receive, at no cost, the investigational drug, physical exams, laboratory tests, Radiology tests such as: CT,etc.
• Attend 15 study visits in an 83 week period
• Receive six infusions of the drug every 13 weeks for 65 weeks
• Participants are randomly assigned to receive one of three does of the drug or a placebo (no active ingredients). There is a 60% change of receiving the drug and 40% chance of receiving the placebo.
  

Study 2 - Alzheimer’s Nutritional Drink Sponsored by Dannon

The makers of the Activia yogurt brand are sponsoring a study of a nutritional drink similar to Ensure. This study is to test whether the nutritional drink is effective and safe for the dietary management of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Who is Eligible for the Alzheimer’s Nutrional Drink Study?

• Clinically diagnosed with mild-moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
• Taking Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and/or Namenda for the past 3-4 months.
• Over 50 years of age
• Not previously diagnosed with vascular dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, or seizures
• Not living in a nursing home
• Lives with or spends long periods of time with a regular caregiver who is welling to attend all trial visits, oversee the patient’s compliance with instructions and report on the patient’s status.

What is Involved in the Alzheimer’s Nutritional Drink Study

• The drink is to be consumed once every day for 6 months.
• The patient will be regularly monitored and tested by study staff for any changes in memory and thinking abilities.
  

Clinical Participant Information and Perks

Not only does the patient receive these investigational drugs and products, they receive compensation for their time an effort. Some of these include:

• $50 per visit for both the caregiver and the patient.
• Free medical and physical evaluations
• Free Tests
  
• Free transportation
• New studies come out every few months including studies geared towards caregivers.
  
• Free to the public
  

It’s a relief to know that there are studies such as these taking place; as each new drug hits the market, I know that we are that much closer to finding a cure . I only wish that I knew about these studies when Mom was healthier. She is now in the moderate-advanced stage of Alzheimer’s so although Namenda may be helping her, I don’t know if these particular studies would benefit her much at all. I asked Shauna if Mom would qualify and she said we should bring her in. This will be something that my family and I will have to decide on. As with any study, there are risks involved. So, we will have to see if the rewards outweigh the risks.