As part of the “National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease,” the National Institute on Aging (NIA) is taking steps towards a comprehensive, unified national strategy to fight Alzheimer’s in the United States. One of the main goals of the plan is to expand research efforts, specifically clinical trials.
The newly released strategy aims at diversifying and increasing participation in clinical trials. Read more about the national plan and how it will guide future Alzheimer’s clinical trials and research efforts.
NIA’s National Strategy to Fight Alzheimer’s and Increase Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Participation
The NIA has been working for more than two years to gather practical and productive approaches to help Alzheimer’s clinical trials attract a higher number and more diverse participants.
The recently released, “National Strategy for Recruitment and Participation in Alzheimer’s Clinical Research” was a collaborative effort between multiple institutions, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Global Alzheimer’s Platform (GAP) Foundation, the NIA and study participants.
The overall strategy focuses on four themes:
- Build and improve capacity and infrastructure at the study site level.
- Develop an applied science of recruitment.
- Engage local communities and support participants in Alzheimer’s clinical trials.
- Increase awareness and engagement at a broad, national level.
The Director of the NIA, Dr. Richard J. Hodes, summarizes the strategy, saying:
“What’s needed, they conclude, is concerted national action to create awareness and to support [Alzheimer’s clinical trials] study participation. The National Strategy offered here outlines concrete steps that each of us… can take to effect change. Some measures can be taken by individuals and organizations on their own and others through collaboration and coordination. This will require attention by both the public and private sectors.”
An integral part of developing the National Strategy, the GAP Foundation is focused on developing innovative strategies to better connect study participants to its network of Alzheimer’s research centers.
GAP Foundation President, John Dwyer, remarks,
“I would like to thank the National Institute on Aging for its thoughtful work on the national strategy. More effective recruitment means faster trials and getting approved therapies to market years sooner. The GAP Foundation is pleased to join in this effort by building a better research infrastructure through GAP-NET, its network of leading academic and private research centers; forging partnerships with healthcare professionals to increase the participation of African Americans and Latinos; and breaking down barriers to faster, more efficient Alzheimer’s clinical trials.”
Do you think a cure for the disease will be found in Alzheimer’s clinical trials? Have you or a loved one participated in a clinical trial? We’d like to hear your stories and thoughts in the comments below.
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