Alzheimer’s Trials

AHEAD Study, Sponsored by University of Southern California and the National Alzheimer’s

The AHEAD Study’s is evaluating the investigational medicine BAN2401 or Lecanemab. The primary goal is to help identify ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By testing BAN2401 to see if it can slow the earliest brain changes associated with AD and help to prevent the associated memory loss.
We are looking for:
• Are between 55 and 80 years of age
• Have not been diagnosed with AD or another dementia
• Have a caregiver or study partner who can attend visits with you
The study involves one 1- hour visit wither to Abington Neurological Associates or at home every 2 to 4 weeks.

Brain Shuttle

A Multiple Ascending Dose Study to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of RO7126209 Following Intravenous Infusion in Participants With Prodromal or Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Phase 1a/2b clinical trial to investigate the safety and tolerability of a drug currently called RO7126209. RO7126209 is the same monoclonal antibody gantenerumab from other trials, but has an added part to cross the blood brain barrier. If more gantenerumab gets into the brain, perhaps we could see more effect. The blood brain barrier is made of tightly packed cells, so many drugs have reduced penetrance into the brain. The shuttle stuck onto gantenerumab may allow it to get into the brain and lower brain amyloid burden. Amyloid is a misfolded, non-functional protein which clumps into plaques. They are believed to play an important role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and removing them may help slow the disease progression.

Cereval Apathy

A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of CVL-871 in Subjects With Dementia-Related Apathy
This study is a 20-week trial to determine if the study drug, CVL-871, is safe and effective in subjects with dementia-related apathy. Currently, there are no approved treatments for apathy.

INTERCEPT-AD Trial (ACU193), Sponsored by Acumen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The INTERCEPT-AD Trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of the investigational medicine called ACU193. ACU193 is a monoclonal antibody designed to locate and bind to proteins called “amyloid-beta oligomers” that build up in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These proteins are thought to be involved in AD symptoms and progression.
We are looking for:
·       Are between 55 and 90 years of age
·       Have memory problems that might be a sign of cognitive impairment.
·       Have a caregiver or study partner who knows you very well, who is willing to assist with participation in the study and can attend study visits with the participant.
The study involves 8 -11 visits, over a maximum time period of about 8 months. Some participants will stay overnight at Abington Neurological Associates for 2 to 4 nights. During the visits, participants will have a safe, caring environment, so caregivers can feel confident their loved ones are being treated with kindness and respect.

New IDEAS: Imaging Dementia

New IDEAS: Imaging Dementia-Evidence for Amyloid Scanning Study
New IDEAS looks at amyloid PET scans and patient-centered outcomes in a diverse group of Medicare participants with cognitive impairment. The investigators of New IDEAS aim to compare outcomes in amyloid PET-positive versus amyloid PET-negative individuals with MCI and dementia, investigate these associations in subgroups of study participants based on self-identifiers and clinical presentation, and evaluate changes in management between the pre- and post-PET visits in the relevant sub-groups, to test whether benefits in health outcomes are mediated by changes in clinical management.

S-Citad

Escitalopram for Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease (S-CitAD)
S-Citad is a 24-week trial designed to observe the efficacy and safety of escitalopram in combination with a psychosocial intervention (PSI) as treatment for Alzheimer’s patients experiencing agitation. Escitalopram is already approved to treat depression and anxiety. This study is currently enrolling new patients from real world settings such as outpatient and assisted living facilities.

VIVA MIND

A Phase 2A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Varoglutamstat (PQ912), which prevents a protein called amyloid from becoming toxic. The study will enroll patients with MCI or early, mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) with a Stage Gate to Phase 2B (VIVA[1]MIND). The purpose of this study is to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of the study drug called varoglutamstat which may delay or slow the progression of the symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease.

News

Dr. Weisman Quoted in Article about Quest Rapid Alzheimer’s Test

September 12, 2023 No Comments

Almost anyone can take this quick test for Alzheimer’s without even going to the doctor….

An Open Letter to Highmark and Independence Blue Cross

September 8, 2023 No Comments

Denial of coverage for lecanemab will have devastating consequences for millions of patients and families.

FDA Converts Lecanemab to Traditional Approval

July 6, 2023 No Comments

Leqembi is the first amyloid beta-directed antibody to be converted from an accelerated approval to…

Dr. Weisman Quoted in Philadelphia Inquirer Article about Tofersen

May 15, 2023 No Comments

On March 22, Weisman and his fellow advisers voted unanimously that the drug was ‘reasonably…

FDA Gives Accelerated Approval to New ALS Treatment

April 26, 2023 No Comments

Tofersen, an injection treatment for a rare form of ALS, has been approved under the…

Dr. Weisman participates in FDA Advisory Committee

March 22, 2023 No Comments

The committee convened to discuss tofersen, an experimental injection for treatment of ALS.

Statement of inclusion

Abington Neurological Associates is proud to offer clinical trials investigating potential treatments in AD. Alzheimer’s is a terrible, fatal disease, which currently has no disease modifying treatment, and affects people of all creeds, nationalities and ethnicities. We welcome any individual with Alzheimer’s disease into these trials and will continue to do so. In previous trials, we are pleased to have contributed data from traditionally under-diagnosed and under-studied minority populations. ANA is committed to recruiting subjects until AD is cured.

Joining a trial is a highly personal decision. Aside from long lists of exclusion criteria, trials are not the right fit for everyone or for every family. Culture does play a role in this decision making. We aim to remove the barriers we can.