ALBANY — The Alzheimer’s Research Disease Center of Albany is looking for volunteers for an Alzheimer’s clinical study, putting an emphasis on recruitment of people of color.
While people from underrepresented communities — including those who are Black and Hispanic— are often not part of Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, they are twice as likely to develop the disease than non-Hispanic white people, researchers said.
“The future of Alzheimer’s research requires that all kinds of people are included in clinical studies, so that any new treatments work for everyone,” principal investigator Dr. Richard Holub, of Neurological Associates of Albany, said.
Historically, two to six percent of people from traditionally underrepresented communities participate in Alzheimer’s research. To address that disparity, the study makes a point to recruit people of color to ensure any new treatment works for them.
To inquire about The Alzheimer’s Research Disease Center of Albany’s latest study, which is looking for participants with slight memory loss who are between the ages of 60 and 85, call (518) 426-0575. Study leaders are hoping people of color enroll in the study to correct years of disparities in research.
Scientists believe Alzheimer’s may be caused by an abnormal build-up of a protein in the brain called amyloid beta. The study will help confirm if a potential treatment designed to reduce amyloid beta helps people alleviate early symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
People between the ages of 60 to 85 who may be suffering from slight memory loss are encouraged to find out more about the study.
The center, which is a part of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation network of research sites, is working to enroll volunteers from Albany and nearby communities. GAP-Net sites benefit from sharing knowledge and experience to advance research about Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions.
“There is a lot of work to do to improve and support Alzheimer’s clinical research, which is our main focus at GAP,” GAP President John Dwyer said. “We know that the same people who are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease are the same people least likely to have representation in clinical research. This study is helping to bridge the health equity gap by focusing on these communities.”