Fort Myers to be a trial site for Alzheimer’s disease
Fort Myers has been tapped as one of the trial sites for an investigational Alzheimer’s drug aimed at slowing down the disease progression. The ICARA study (commonly referred to as the Bapi study) is designed to study the safety and effectiveness of this new treatment option.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder-a disorder in which brain cells are lost. It is characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognitive function, such as movement control and decision-making ability. It is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and affects about 18 million people worldwide-5 million in the U.S. alone.
Although there’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, research is under way to find a new treatment to help slow down the progression of the disease.
Current medications for Alzheimer’s disease are mostly aimed at maximizing the remaining brain activity. The ICARA study, commonly referred to as the Bapi study, is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of an investigational drug, called Bapineuzumab, aimed at slowing down the disease progression.
Study participants will join more than 2050 volunteers in 200 study sites across the U.S. and Canada. Medication will be provided at no cost and during the study, each participant will be monitored by a medical team, including a nurse or study coordinator, and a physician.
Study participants can include men and women who:
n Are between 50 and 88 years of age
n Have a diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s
n Have a caregiver who is willing to be involved in the study with them
Clinical research is necessary to learn whether the investigational drugs work and are safe. The information gained from this study could help future patients who need this type of medical care.
Participants will receive, at no charge, the investigational drug, physical exams, and laboratory services and tests. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored by a medical team including a nurse or study coordinator and a physician.
For more information visit www.icarastudy.com or call 1-888-770-6366.