Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Eventually, even the simplest tasks become difficult to carry out. It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

 

There are two types of Alzheimer’s treatment clinical trials. Some are treatments aimed at reducing symptoms while others involve treatments aimed at slowing or stopping the Disease. 

 

In clinical trials that are aimed at reducing symptoms, new drugs and variations of existing drugs that aim to reduce the symptoms are tested. Studies of existing drugs explore whether changing the dose, taking the medication on a different schedule (more or less often), or combining it with other medications might further reduce or delay symptoms.

 

In clinical trials that are aimed at slowing or stopping the disease, new drugs are tested. Some of the experimental drugs being tested in treatment trials represent entirely new ways of treating the disease. 

 

At CNS Healthcare, we offer several different types of Alzheimer’s Disease clinical trials. You can learn more by selecting the location nearest you and scheduling a no-cost appointment using the form on the page. 

Find a Currently Enrolling Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trial Near You:

More About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects millions of Americans every day. Having several stages of severity, symptoms can range from minor memory loss to the inability to communicate. It is among the top 10 causes of death in the US, yet it is the only disease among them for which there is no cure, prevention or treatment to slow progression, with the exception of some clinical trials.

 

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease most commonly found in people over the age of 60. The disease slowly deteriorates a person’s cognitive functioning and behavioral abilities, affecting the part of the brain that controls language, reasoning, and sensory processing. Scientists have not yet found the cause for the disease, but the risk has been higher in people with a family history of the disease.

Signs & Symptoms

 Mild Alzheimer’s disease

As the disease progresses, people experience greater memory loss and other cognitive difficulties. Problems can include:

  • Wandering and getting lost
  • Trouble handling money and paying bills
  • Repeating questions
  • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
  • Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
  • Personality and behavior changes

Alzheimer’s disease is often diagnosed at this stage.

 
Moderate Alzheimer’s disease

In this stage, damage occurs in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought. Symptoms may include:

  • Increased memory loss and confusion
  • Problems recognizing family and friends
  • Inability to learn new things
  • Difficulty carrying out multistep tasks such as getting dressed
  • Problems coping with new situations
  • Hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia
  • Impulsive behavior
 
Severe Alzheimer’s disease

People with severe Alzheimer’s cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for their care. Near the end, the person may be in bed most or all of the time as the body shuts down. Their symptoms often include:

  • Inability to communicate
  • Weight loss
  • Seizures
  • Skin infections
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Groaning, moaning, or grunting
  • Increased sleeping
  • Lack of control of bowel and bladder