July 25, 2008 College News - The Medical College of Wisconsinis participating in the Investigational Clinical Amyloid Research in Alzheimer’s (ICARA) study, an international clinical trial to learn if an investigational drug can help control the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. In total, approximately 2,050 patients will be enrolled at research sites in North America.

 

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. It destroys brain cells, to cause problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect daily life. Alzheimer’s progresses over time, and is fatal. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, affecting approximately 18 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s-related medical complications are among the most common causes of death in the elderly population. 

 

“Our goal is to explore if this investigational drug can help control the progression of Alzheimer’s,” said Medical College neurologist Piero Antuono, MD, principal investigator for the local study site at Froedtert Hospital. “Most current therapies for Alzheimer’s treat the symptoms associated with it and not the disease itself. It is important for patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s to consider participating in clinical studies. Clinical studies that test new treatments are the best chance we have for fighting this disease.”

 

Participants for the ICARA study must be between 50 and 88 years of age, have a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease and have a caregiver who is willing to be involved in the study. A medical team including a nurse or study coordinator and a physician will monitor participants throughout the study.

 

For details, please call the study coordinator, Julie Sugden, (414)-805-5248.