Join a Research Study

Research Update: Fall 2006

Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Wesley Woods Health Center, 1841 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30329

Grady Neurology Clinic
80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

404-728-6950 http://med.emory.edu/ADC/

Whether you were at the International Research Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in Madrid, Spain in July or go to the Alzheimer’s conference here in Atlanta in September, you will hear two important things about Alzheimer’s research. First, progress continues to be made in detecting the earliest signs of the disease; second, advances continue in the search for more effective treatments.

Successful research depends on finding willing volunteers including:

People over 70 with no memory problems

People of any age with mild memory problem

People of any age with Alzheimer’s disease

Be a Wise Research Volunteer.
At Emory’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), there are numerous studies. If you are interested in volunteering you can expect a thorough explanation of the study. We want you to ask questions, before and during the study. You will be asked to sign a form that documents that you understand the project and willingly consent to take part in it. The consent form will describe:

What medication or procedure is being tested
How often you will have a study visit
What will be done at each study visit
The potential risks and benefits to the volunteer
The known side effects.
Your ongoing right to withdraw from a study if you change your mind about participating – and how to do so.
Your right to confidentiality before, during and after the study

Studies Vary
Researchers continue to look for better treatments for those with Alzheimer’s disease. They may be testing new medications to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s or medications for specific symptoms, like sleep problems or agitation. These studies often involve using a method like a coin toss to assign volunteers to receive the drug being tested or a placebo, a pill that contains no medication. Neither the participant nor the researcher can control who gets which pill. So you need to understand that, in this kind of study, you may or may not be getting the drug that is being tested.

Other studies are looking for new ways to identify memory loss early in the disease. These studies may include an MRI or PET several times over the course of the study.

Different studies last different lengths of time. On average a study takes from 6 months to two years and will require monthly or quarterly study visits. Each study visit will take 2-3 hours and may include:

physical exam
blood work
paper and pencil tests
Interviews

The Emory ADRC studies are conducted at Emory Clinic, Emory Hospital, Wesley Woods Center or Grady Hospital.

Study Partners
Most studies now require every volunteer to have a study partner. Study partners are needed to help determine the earliest signs of memory loss and to help determine how the volunteer is functioning on a day to day basis. A study partner:

Can be a spouse, adult child or close friend or relative.
Must accompany the volunteer to each study visit
Must have regular contact with the person who volunteers for the study.

Call for information on research studies
Call 404-728-6950 to talk with a study coordinator, learn about specific studies, and have a consent form mailed directly to you.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s research at http://med.emory.edu/ADC/ or www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers. Email your questions to speter2@emory.edu.