UWF Conducts Clinical Trial to Treat Agitation in Alzheimer's, Local Participants Needed

The University of West Florida (UWF) is conducting its first-ever clinical trial as part of a national study on Alzheimer's disease and is seeking local participants, reports WUWF . "The TRIAD Study is designed around an investigational new drug to help alleviate the symptoms of agitation associated with Alzheimer's disease," says UWF Professor Rodney Guttmann. He notes some of the behaviors associated with Alzheimer's, particularly agitation, can be addressed. The phase 3 TRIAD trial is being performed with John Hayes, the medical director at the West Florida Memory Disorder Clinic. Participants and their caregivers in the 12-week study period must commit to eight visits to the study site on the UWF main campus to undergo memory testing and other evaluations. They must also take medication twice daily. Eligible participants must have an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, experience Alzheimer's-related agitation, and be between 50 and 90 years old. "This is what we call a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial," says Guttmann. "Double-blind means that neither I nor the participant knows whether or not they're getting the active drug or not. And, the placebo control is they may or may not be getting the active drug. In our particular study, there's a 40 percent chance of placebo and 60 percent chance of receiving active drug."