Alzheimer Disease Clinical Trials

Trials exist for every stage, from people with no symptoms but elevated risk (prevention trials) to those with mild cognitive impairment, early Alzheimer's, and moderate-to-advanced disease. However, the largest number of trials currently focus on the early stages, as treatments may be most effective before extensive brain damage has occurred.

A study partner can be a spouse, adult child, sibling, close friend, or professional caregiver who spends significant time with you each week (usually at least 10 hours). They must be willing to attend study visits, provide observations about your daily functioning, and communicate with the study team. Some trials allow different people to alternate in this role.

Yes. Amyloid PET scans involve a small amount of radioactive tracer that is considered safe by medical standards. The radiation exposure is comparable to a standard CT scan. These scans are an important diagnostic tool and are used to confirm amyloid presence in the brain, which is a requirement for many Alzheimer's trials.

ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) are brain swelling or microbleeds detected on MRI scans. They occur in a significant percentage of patients receiving anti-amyloid therapies, are usually mild and temporary, and often produce no symptoms. Trials monitor for ARIA with regular MRI scans, and treatment is paused if significant ARIA is detected.

Yes. Some trials specifically enroll people with genetic risk factors such as APOE4 carriers or those with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's mutations (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2). Genetic testing can help identify trials you qualify for and may provide important information about your personal risk profile. Discuss genetic testing with your doctor or a genetic counselor.