HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH)– A clinical trial is underway in our state on a new class of drugs for Alzheimer’s patients. If all goes well, it could potentially have a huge impact.
The Phase Two Clinical Study is on a drug that had some success on a small group of patients with Alzheimer’s Disease in a very limited time period. It’s estimated that in the year 2050, one out of three Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a sobering number to fast track much needed research, funding, and participation.
Bob Bock cares for sister Gigi round-the-clock. The 52-year-old has early onset Alzheimer’s Disease and is on two medications.
“My sister has improved quite a bit, but I’d like to try to see if there is a way to take her to the next level,” said Bock.
That next level includes convincing her to participate in The Noble Study, underway at the Hamden office of famed specialist Dr. Alan Siegel, a principal investigator. The focus is on the drug T-817MA and its impact on a protein linked to Alzheimer’s.
“We are looking at a class of medications and defined as neuro-protective,” said Dr. Siegel. “It helps to preserve and stabilize the brain cells from the toxic effects of amyloid protein. Our hope is that it will basically level out the illness so that folks won’t continue to progress and get worse, but may in fact, if you will, hold onto all of the skills they have at that moment.”
Specifically, Dr. Siegel wants to know, “does this drug really have the potential that it looks like it has and that’s why we are doing the study.”
Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s who take part will be on the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for a year.
“This is a study looking at a number of doses to see which has the most positive clinical effect, and at the same time, the lowest amounts of side affects,” said Dr. Siegel.
It comes at a time the number of people living with Alzheimer’s is increasing.
“Families are very anxious and wanting to see something in the pipeline that is closer to a cure, but with a cure there needs to be the research dollars and there needs to be that funding,” said Eleanora Tornatore-Mikesh, President of the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter.
Currently, there are 26 studies in Connecticut. If this drug proves to be effective, the next step is expanding it to a much a larger clinical trial.
“I think there is hope and there is a way,” said Bock. “That’s why I think the study will be able to help to show people, you know what, just don’t give up. There is hope.”
At least 72,000 people in Connecticut have Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Siegel is looking for participants 55- to 85-years old with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, already on the drug Aricept or Exelon.
For more information on The Noble Study in Hamden, call (203) 288-0414 extension 6 for the study coordinator, or click here.
The Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter Helpline can be reached at (800) 272-3900.
http://www.alz.org/ct