Clinical Trials

A worldwide quest is under way to find treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the most promising research is happening right here in San Diego. Many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process by impacting the many brain changes that Alzheimer’s causes. Current trials in San Diego County range from drug research to studying the impact of sleep on cognitive decline and caregiver stress.

People with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and healthy volunteers are needed today to participate in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. When you join a clinical trial, you have an opportunity to participate in critical research that could change the course of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the lives of all those it affects. By signing up to learn more, Alzheimer’s San Diego will send you the latest information about local studies that could be a good fit for you.

We need your help. Without participation, finding a cure is virtually impossible.

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Current Research in San Diego

Thank you to our valued clinical trials partners, featured below. Their support helps keep our services free to the community.

Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (Keck School of Medicine of USC)

Dedicated to helping the nation and the world confront the problem of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) by rigorously testing novel treatments and identifying reliable markers for early detection of the disease.

  • Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy: An online cognitive assessment research study aimed at accelerating the enrollment time for clinical trials designed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of the webstudy is to develop a large online group of individuals who may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s dementia, and who may be interested in participating in a prevention trial.

For more information and additional trials, call 858-964-4644 or visit atri.usc.edu/studies/.

Sharp Neurocognitive Research Center

More trials coming in the future. To learn more, click here.

Please note: Insurance is not required for study participation. Participants and study partners are compensated for time and travel, and transportation can be provided for each study visit. For more information call 858-836-8350 or visit sharp.com/clinicaltrials.

Advanced Brain Monitoring

Advanced Brain Monitoring is looking for patients diagnosed with: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Lewy Body Dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment 40-95 years old to participate in a computer-based study.

Study participants will complete a series of computer-based memory and attention tasks. During this time, they will be recording brain activity using a cap with soft sensors. They are looking for patients with a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Lewy Body Dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment who feel comfortable sitting at a computer for 1-2 hours. The aim of the study is to help develop biomarkers that may be used by pharmaceutical companies in clinical trials to monitor the effectiveness of experimental drugs on neurodegenerative disease.

The study visit(s) will last approximately 2-4 hours at their office in Carlsbad. Additionally, there will be a 2-night in-home sleep study. Participants will be compensated at a rate of $20 per hour upon study completion for every hour spent at the Advanced Brain Monitoring research facility as part of their participation in the study, and an additional $25 for completing the in-home sleep study.

To schedule a visit or request more information call: (760) 720-0099 ext. 6011 / Download flyer

Pacific Research Network

PRN is seeking volunteers with and without memory concerns to participate in different studies. PRN also offers free memory screenings in-person and over the phone. More information >

Additional research opportunities in San Diego County:

  • Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center – The Shiley-Marcos ADRC has a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers to participate in important research studies designed to discover ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately eradicate Alzheimer’s disease as well as other related neurological diseases. Call the ADRC 858-822-4800 and ask for Tracey Truscott, LCSW for more information or email ttruscott@ucsd.edu.
  • University of San Diego Study for Caregivers – The study “Validity of Functional Assessment Staging by Caregivers” put on by the Hahn School of Nursing at USD is looking for caregivers to help evaluate a mobile phone app about the stages of dementia. Contact: Shelby Bernauer (sbernauer@sandiego.edu / 858-630-1994) Learn more >
  • UC San Diego Health
    • AAV2-BDNF Gene Therapy Clinical Trial: Doctors at UC San Diego are seeking patients with early stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment to participate in a research study of gene therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether gene therapy with a brain protein is safe. In animal studies, this brain protein slows cell death and activates the brain. This experimental gene therapy program involves a one-time surgical procedure. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) who are between the ages of 50–80 and are otherwise healthy may be eligible. There are no costs for study participation. If you are interested in finding out whether you are eligible to participate, please contact Ms. Lori Graham at UCSD, at 858-534-8857 or by email: ljgraham@health.ucsd.edu.
    • CARE2SLEEP study: Enrolling caregivers who experience sleeping difficulties. The study does not entail any medications. Contact by email: caregiverlab@ucsd.edu
    • SALUD-Tech Study: This study is for Hispanic/Latinos of all genders ages 50 to 70. The study aims to learn whether information collected from smartphones and smartwatches can help detect risk for developing a disease of the brain later in life, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Participants receive compensation, as well as the results of memory testing and routine blood tests at no cost. Visits can be completed in our offices in Chula Vista or La Jolla (transportation can be provided), or we can go to you. If interested in learning more, please call 619-373-4735 or email us at salud-techucsd@health.ucsd.edu. Both English and Spanish-speakers are welcome.
  • The Neurology Center of Southern California – The Research Center is currently enrolling in studies for Alzheimer’s disease. Please contact Estela at 619-432-0867.
  • UCSD Center for Healthy Aging

Find additional research opportunities in the United States:

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