An estimated 5.2 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease, and the numbers are rising. By 2025, the number of people 65 and older with the disease is estimated to hit 7.1 million, a 40 percent increase, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Doctors and researchers are trying to keep that estimate from becoming a reality, and clinical trials may be the key to making a difference. For these studies, however, the scientists need the help of patients and public alike.
"Participation in these studies may provide access to the latest promising treatment strategies," said Laura Holly-Dierbach, vice president of programs and services for the Alzheimer's Association Greater New Jersey Chapter.
Jessica Langbaum, principal scientist at Banner Alzheimer's Prevention Institute, said the next couple of years will be important for Alzheimer's research.
"For the first time, we are now faced with several Alzheimer's prevention trials that are going to be started in 2013 and 2014," said Langbaum, who is also the associate director of the Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative.
Banner, in collaboration with scientists around the world who conduct Alzheimer's prevention research, started the Alzheimer's Prevention Registry in hopes of gaining a database of people who are interested, can be quickly informed of upcoming trials and find out if they are a fit to participate in them. Scientists at the various companies and institutions running the studies hope the registry speeds up the process of filling trials.
Similarly, the Alzheimer's Association offers a free, clinical trial matching service called TrialMatch. This service "matches" people, either healthy or with the disease, to a clinical trial that is designed for dementia-related research.
These trials are vital, according to the scientists.
"It is only through clinical studies that we will develop and test promising new strategies for treatment, prevention, diagnosis, and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer's disease," Dean Hartley, director of science initiatives at the Alzheimer's Association, wrote in an email.
Prevention trials are often more difficult to fill.
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