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Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death overall in the United States and affects more than 5 million Americans. According to experts, this number could triple to nearly 16 million people by 2050.
A scientific study focused on early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, and tracking it over time, seeks healthy volunteers without memory problems, as well as people who have mild memory problems and those who have been diagnosed with mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative — or ADNI — is funded by the National Institutes of Health and is one of the largest and longest-running Alzheimer’s disease trials in history.
Now in the third phase of trials, researchers are studying how quickly things like reasoning and the ability to perform certain functions change in the aging brain.
“We need to know how Alzheimer’s disease progresses in order to discover new treatments that could significantly improve the way we treat it in the future,” Michael Weiner, M.D., principal investigator of the study, said.
The study uses state-of-the-art imaging to monitor brain levels of two proteins called tau and amyloid, both of which are significant indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers track cognitive function through computer tests at home and in a doctor’s office, which includes measuring changes in one’s ability to handle money, a common warning sign of the disease.
“One of the biggest challenges researchers face is finding people to volunteer to take part in studies,” Weiner said. “We can beat Alzheimer’s, but we can’t do it without volunteers.”
The ADNI study needs 800 people ages 55-90 to enroll in sites across the United States and in Canada. No medication is involved.
Potential study volunteers can learn more by visiting www.adni3.org or by calling (888) 2-ADNI-95 ((888) 223-6495).