Your Health

Thousands Of Americans Make A Difference Using Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch

Posted: 12/21/2011

For people with Alzheimer’s disease, clinical trials can be a chance to play a more active role in coping with their condition, contribute to scientific discovery and benefit future generations.

(NAPSI)—When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010, Dr. Denise Canchola immediately recognized the importance of enrolling her in a clinical trial. But even Dr. Canchola, a psychiatric nurse practitioner based in Pompano Beach, Fla., needed help and resources to search for Alzheimer’s clinical trials near her mother Gabriela’s hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Being located hundreds of miles apart, Dr. Canchola and her family used Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch to easily connect to Alzheimer’s clinical studies nationwide.

Dr. Canchola and her siblings learned about Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch through the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org. The service connected them with trained staff and a database of Alzheimer’s clinical trials that are actively recruiting participants.

“The Alzheimer’s Association website made it very simple to set up a profile, and TrialMatch provided my family with immediate information about local clinical trials in Texas,” said Dr. Canchola. “I was concerned since I live out of state, but we spoke with a TrialMatch specialist who has remained in touch with our family throughout this whole process.” By utilizing Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch’s free and confidential services, Gabriela is currently participating in an Alzheimer’s drug trial.

For people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, clinical trials present an opportunity to play a more active role in their own treatment, contribute to scientific discovery and benefit future generations. “Through clinical trials, the medical community makes advances in prevention, early detection and hopefully a cure for this deadly disease,” said William Thies, Ph.D., chief medical and scientific officer at the Alzheimer’s Association. “When people tell me that they want to volunteer for clinical trials to help their children and future generations, I suggest they use Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch program, because it is an easy and convenient way to find a clinical trial.”

Since the service’s debut in July 2010, it has matched more than 3,000 people to Alzheimer’s clinical trials based on their diagnosis, preferences and location. The Internet- and phone-based service provides comprehensive clinical trial information and an individualized matching service for people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, healthy volunteers including caregivers, family members and doctors.

How To Find A Trial

Step 1: Access TrialMatch at www.alz.org/TrialMatch or (800) 272-3900.

Step 2: Complete a brief questionnaire to create a profile.

Step 3: Based on diagnosis, treatment history and location, the system will match your unique profile to its clinical trial database.

Step 4: A specialist will contact you to provide unbiased trial result options and trial site contact information. Specialists will not recommend any particular trial but will help you identify trials that match your specific eligibility and criteria.

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