This week is Clinical Trials Awareness Week! Researchers all over the world rely on the volunteers who participate in clinical trials to find treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s clinical trial volunteers are essential to advancing this public health research.
The number of people in Illinois who are age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase 18% by 2025 to a projected 260,000, but 90% of Alzheimer’s clinical trials are delayed by slow recruitment. Because of COVID-19, we have taken precautions to protect the health of our clinical trial volunteers. You can view our COVID-19 Protection Plan here.
In addition, many new Alzheimer’s trials are being delayed until older adults can more easily participate. When it is possible to resume a typical schedule and initiate new research, we will need volunteers to be ready to pick up where we left off!
If you are on the fence about joining a clinical trial, here are some of the reasons our volunteers have joined:
To have the ability to meet with clinicians who work every day with those with memory loss. Alzheimer’s clinical trials are organized by brain health experts and our excellent clinical staff are available to answer all your questions and will track the progress of your condition.
To be part of the team that is helping to find a treatment or a cure for Alzheimer’s. Treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s will only come from clinical trials. This research is the key to understanding the disease and how to slow and treat it. All Alzheimer’s clinical trials, even those that end prematurely, are critical to advancing research – scientists use all the data from clinical trials to make the next drug they test better. Leading experts believe the first person to be cured of Alzheimer’s is alive today.
To honor their loved ones who have had Alzheimer’s. Because there is sometimes a genetic component that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, many volunteers have a family member who had the disease. Some clinical trial researchers have a family history with the disease that inspires their work too! Supporting research that is finding treatments and a cure for Alzheimer’s is a fantastic way to honor the legacy of loved ones.
To help future generations. Volunteers and researchers alike all want to find a way to slow and stop Alzheimer’s for their children and their grandchildren. Clinical trials are the only way to discover Alzheimer’s treatments that are safe and effective. Volunteers are the key to ending Alzheimer’s once and for all.
If you have concerns about your memory or have questions about clinical trials, you can reach us at 773-275-3500 or email us and we can discuss current or future clinical trial opportunities.
We also have launched a new virtual memory assessment program where you can schedule an at-home, memory consultation online. Learn more about our Virtual Memory Assessments.
About Clinical Trials Awareness Week
Clinical Trials Awareness Week (CTAW) is a 5-day national celebration of the importance of clinical trials and discussion of how to improve participation in clinical research. It is promoted by groups like PhRMA, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, and the Coalition for Clinical Trials Awareness. Clinical Trials Day (CTD) falls on Wednesday, May 20th.