By Julie Carrico, MBA, CCRC
Alzheimer’s disease clinical research is a frequent topic of this blog and for good reason. At this time, our group is involved with three different Alzheimer’s disease studies, two of which are actively looking for volunteer participants.
Three years ago, our team committed to advancing medicines and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease but it has been a complex process to align our resources for these studies. For example, until recently each clinical study required the involvement of one study coordinator in addition to specialist support for lab draws, EKGs, etc. This simple resource allocation is not remotely adequate for Alzheimer’s disease studies.
To begin with, the process to determine volunteer eligibility for the typical Alzheimer’s disease study is the most complex I’ve encountered in my career. As potential participants step through the eligibility screening process, they will meet with at least three study coordinators who will work with the volunteer to complete a battery of standardized questionnaires. Additionally, each potential patient volunteer is accompanied by a study partner who must also be guided through a series of questionnaires.
Volunteers demonstrating eligibility after the questionnaires will go on to receive an MRI and a PET scan at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, who is collaborating with the Clinical Research Center on this part of the study. Volunteers will have blood work, an EKG, and a physical exam with neurologist Dr. Alex Wang. In addition, eligible volunteers may also need dermatology and eye exams prior to study enrollment. Whew! These studies do take a village!
The good news for volunteer patients and their study partners is that the flurry of activity to arrange the eligibility assessments is largely invisible – the study team makes all the arrangements. If you or a loved one are concerned about memory loss issues, give us a call – our village would be happy to speak with you!
The Clinical Research Center is currently seeking volunteer patients in studies for Alzheimer’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, and those with very high triglyceride levels.
If you are interested in learning more about clinical trials, contact the Clinical Research Center at 541-766-2163, or send an email to research@corvallisclinic.com or fill out our Research Study Information Request form. And, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/corvallisclinicresearch.
– Julie Carrico is Associate Coordinator of The Corvallis Clinic Clinical Research Center
