Clinical Trials at the CNADC
Volunteer for a Study

You must live in the Chicagoland area, or be willing to travel to Chicago, to participate in the majority of our studies.
Contact the Memory Research team at 312-695-2343 or email memoryresearch@northwestern.edu if you are interested in finding out more information about a study or to volunteer for any of the studies listed below.

CURRENT ONGOING STUDIES:

1. Exelon Patch for treatment in Alzheimer’s disease
Download PDF flyer of this study
STATUS: RECRUITING
This summer the FDA approved the Exelon10cm2 Patch for treatment in Alzheimer’s disease. The Exelon Patch was found to be effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in individuals with mild to moderate symptoms. Now researchers are comparing the risk and benefit of the Exelon 10cm2 Patch to the experimental ExeloN 15cm2 Patch in people who have Alzheimer’s disease and show a decline in memory or thinking. Please contact us if you are between 50 and 85 and have a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
Download PDF flyer of this study
STATUS: RECRUITING
ADNI is a nationwide study to determine whether imaging of the brain (through MRI, PET or CAT scans) every six months can help predict and monitor the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to neuroimaging, the study will collect and test blood and, for some participants, cerebral spinal fluid to determine if biomarkers can predict and monitor the disease. This study is for individuals, age 55 or over, who are in good general health with no memory problems OR are in good general health but have memory problems or concerns OR have a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease and are willing and able to undergo the test procedures.

3. AD Genetics Study (Late Onset Alzheimer’s Disease)
Download PDF flyer of this study
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association
STATUS: RECRUITING
LOAD is a nationwide study to find genes that play a role in late-life Alzheimer’s Disease and understand how they work. This study is for individuals who have 2 or more family members living with Alzheimer’s Disease or severe memory loss. Participants will be asked to provide a blood sample, complete a telephone or in person interview, and give permission for their medical records to be reviewed.

4. The Utility of Namenda® in the Treatment of Primary Progressive Aphasia
Download PDF flyer of this study
STATUS: CLOSED
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether Namenda® (memantine), currently an FDA approved medication for Alzheimer’s Disease dementia, will reduce decline in PPA patients. Individuals between the ages of 40 and 80, with a current diagnosis of PPA, and who are not currently taking Namenda® are eligible to participate. Participation includes two treatment conditions; active drug for six months and placebo for six months. Neither the experimenters nor the subjects will know what treatment condition they are in until the entire study is completed. The duration of the study is 15 months, and participants will make five visits.

5. Cholesterol Lowering Agent to Slow Progression (CLASP) of Alzheimer's Disease Study
Download PDF flyer of this study
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group
STATUS: CLOSED
CLASP is a research study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug or statin) to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study is for individuals, age 50 or over, with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease, mild to moderate severity (e.g., MMSE between 12 and 26 inclusive) who do not require lipid-lowering treatment according to current clinical guidelines. The study design is parallel groups with equal randomization to drug and placebo, and the duration of the study is 18 months.

6. VITAL - VITamins to slow ALzheimer's disease (Homocysteine study)
Download PDF flyer of this study
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group
STATUS: CLOSED
The purpose of this study is to determine whether reduction of homocysteine levels with high-dose folate (folic acid), B6, and B12 supplementation will slow the rate of cognitive decline in persons with Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease, mild to moderate severity (e.g., MMSE between 14 and 26 inclusive) are eligible to participate. Subjects will be divided into two groups: 60% of subjects receive daily high-dose supplements, and 40% receive an identical looking placebo. The duration of treatment is 18 months, and participants will make eight visits.

7. Placebo-Controlled Trial of Valproate to Attenuate the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
Download PDF flyer of this study
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group
STATUS: CLOSED
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial whether chronic valproate therapy delays the emergence of agitation and/or psychosis in outpatients with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) who have not experienced agitation and psychosis in their illness. This is a 2-year, multi-center study of subjects with mild to moderate dementia (probable Alzheimer's disease) (e.g., MMSE 10 - 20, inclusive).

8. Assessment Measures for AD Primary Prevention Trials
Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Group
STATUS: RECRUITMENT COMPLETE
The purpose of this research is to look at the usefulness of new or improved paper and pencil tests in Alzheimer’s Disease experiments in subjects. This is a multi-center study is comparing different ways of collecting research information (i.e., in-person, by mail, via computer). Participants in this study are non-demented elderly living independently in the community who are followed on an annual basis. There are currently 21 subjects from the NADC participating in this trial.

Other Clinical Trial Resources

ADEAR Clinical Trials Database - The Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR) clinical trials database provides detailed information - background, eligibility criteria, site listings, and references - on Alzheimer's disease research studies sponsored by the National Institute on Aging, other NIH institutes, private organizations, and industry.

Related Link