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With 5.7 million Americans already living with Alzheimer’s disease — a number that is expected to more than double in 30 years — researchers are racing to find the culprits that lead to the memory loss and confusion Alzheimer’s disease can cause.

One suspect is a type of protein in the brain called beta-amyloid. Researchers believe fragments of this protein can accumulate and stick together forming plaques, disrupting communications between brain cells and causing cell degeneration and death.

A new clinical trial called Trailblazer-Alz targets beta-amyloid plaques with a novel investigational drug that is aimed at stimulating the body’s natural cleaning system to clear this plaque away.

Preliminary research with this drug suggests that plaques may be completely removed in as little as three to six months. This is the first clinical trial that examines whether this novel drug can help people with Alzheimer’s.

“If the removal of amyloid plaque in the brain is the key to slowing or stopping the progression of Alzheimer’s, then this drug may well be what we need,” said Dr. James McKenney, an investigator with the Alzheimer’s Research Center in Richmond.

Finding a way to stop the disease process with drugs is the most important way to fight Alzheimer’s, according to McKenney.

“We are very hopeful that drugs such as this one will be successful, and will someday soon be available to the millions of people with beginning memory loss to stop the disease,” McKenney added. The Alzheimer’s Research Center, located at 2809 Emerywood Parkway in Richmond, is one of 70 facilities in the U.S. and Canada participating in the Trailblazer-Alz study.

Volunteers are needed

To take part in the study, patients must be age 60 to 85, with either mild Alzheimer’s disease, or have had memory loss for six months or more that has become gradually worse over time.

The study will last for up to two years and five months, and will involve up to 26 study appointments. Participants must have a family member or close friend who is with them for at least 10 hours per week and can attend some of the study appointments as well.

During the double-blind study, patients will be randomly divided into two groups. One will receive the plaque-removing drug, and the other will receive a placebo, a similarly administered drug with no active ingredient. Neither the patients nor the doctors will know who is receiving which substance.

Volunteers will go through a screening process during which their eligibility to participate will be determined.

They will receive all study-related care from a research doctor at no cost, and may be compensated for time and travel expenses.

For more information or to volunteer, call (804) 755-2300 or visit www.alzresearch.net.