A new study, being conducted across North America and Australia, is aimed at preventing memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s Disease among older adults who may already be at risk.
The A4 (Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s) study is coordinated by the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study at the University of California, in partnership with the National Institute on Aging and Eli Lily and Company. It’s goal is to test if an anti-amyloid antibody can slow memory loss caused by A.D. It is believed that a buildup of amyloid, a protein produced in the brain, may contribute to memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients.
To be considered for the study, individuals must be between 65 and 85 with normal thinking and memory but who are at risk for memory loss due to an elevated level of amyloid plaque in their brain. A PET scan is used to determine if there is a buildup in potential participants.
More than 35 million people suffer from AD or other dementia, and those numbers are expected to rise significantly with the aging baby boomer population.
Those selected for the study will be evaluated over a period of 3 years, and will be required to visit a research clinic once a month to complete memory tests and be checked for any changes in brain function over time. Participants will received either an experimental anti-amyloid drug, Solanezumab or a placebo while memory function is tracked by researchers.
For a list of study site locations and more information visit www.a4study.org .
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