The University of Nebraska Medical Center is one of 20 sites across the country participating in a clinical research trial to determine whether an investigational medication reduces the amount of amyloid in the brain of those with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Amyloid is a protein (like a waxy substance) that gathers in the brain and is thought to cause symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease such as memory loss and confusion.
UNMC will enroll at least five people who have subjective memory problems, but who do not yet have a dementia diagnosis. Each study participant will undergo MRI and PET brain scans to determine if amyloid has accumulated. If determined eligible for study participation, the participant will begin a series of injections proposed to activate the immune system to remove or reduce the amount of brain amyloid. Subsequent brain scans will measure the amount of amyloid in the brain.
“The study will help us better understand the relationship of amyloid in the brain and its effect on memory and other brain functions,” said William Burke, M.D., A.O. Stake Professor of Psychiatry at UNMC. “It appears that people who have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and have amyloid visualized in their brain by PET scan are at highest risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease.”
Eligible participants must be at least 50 years old, have subjective memory problems and be in good general health. There is no cost for participation.
To learn more, call Barb Bayer, Dan Murman, M.D., or Dr. Burke at 402-552-6005 or visit ClinicalTrials.gov (study no. NCT01227564) or the UNMC clinical trials website at unmc.edu/clinicaltrials.
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