Volunteers for Alzheimer’s early detection project
South East Queensland volunteers are wanted for a global clinical research trial being conducted on the Gold Coast to identify the genetic risk factors of developing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease and test a medication with the potential to delay its onset.
The TOMMORROW Study is a Phase 3 trial, taking place across America, Europe and Australia, including at Queensland University of Technology's (QUT) new Genomics Research Centre, Mermaid Waters, where it is led by Professor Lyn Griffiths, executive director of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at QUT.
“Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating disease and diagnoses are increasing as the world's population ages. Currently, 35.6 million people worldwide are living with some form of dementia,” Professor Griffiths says.
“This is an important trial that is aimed at reducing the burden of Alzheimer's disease. More specifically, it is focused on earlier detection and assessment of the risk of developing cognitive impairment due to the Alzheimer's disorder.
“MCI is the early phase of AD and is a gradual, progressive decline in thinking ability. Studies show that individuals with MCI have a higher risk of developing AD or another type of dementia.”
Researchers are recruiting healthy individuals aged 65-83 for the TOMMORROW study. A genetic blood test will evaluate two specific genes (APOE gene and the TOMM40 gene) that have previously been shown to increase the risk of developing AD.
The study also evaluates the efficacy of an investigational study drug to see if it will delay the first symptoms of MCI due to AD. At the age of 65, people have a one in eight chance of developing AD and by age 85 that risk increases to a one in two chance.
Professor Griffiths says research on the increasingly common and serious disorder of MCI was needed to understand its development, find better ways to slow its progress and to treat it.
“Over five years the study will recruit internationally from large, diverse, community based populations. It is expected that almost 6,000 cognitively normal and physically healthy individuals aged 65-83 at 60 centres worldwide will be enrolled in the study,” she says.
For more information on the TOMMORROW study and how to participate, visit www.tommorrowstudy.com
