Researchers need Hispanics for Alzheimer’s studies
The University of Kansas is recruiting volunteers, especially women and minorities for Alzheimer’s research studies at its Clinical Research Center in Fairway, Kan.
“There’s a huge need for minority participants – Latinos, American Indians, African-Americans,” said Carroll Oliver, the center’s marketing coordinator. “Some studies are very targeted, but for most studies, we want a diverse make-up, a good ratio of ethnicity and sex.”
Noting that women are at higher risk of dementia, Oliver stressed the importance of having women in the study trials.
The center regularly holds clinical trial seminars. At the informational sessions, attendees meet and question the research team, learn about Alzheimer’s and new developments, discover how to be considered for an Alzheimer’s research study and what it involves, and complete an initial screening survey.
Everyone interested in Alzheimer’s and related disorders is invited. There’s no charge to attend, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call 913-588-0555. Parking at the research center is free. It’s wheelchair accessible.
Eric Vidoni, outreach and recruitment director conducts on-site Alzheimer’s disease tutorials to community groups on request. He’s working with Juntos and El Centro to schedule future informational presentations on Alzheimer’s.
“We can tailor the sessions to meet a group’s needs,” Vidoni said.
Groups interested in scheduling an Alzheimer’s presentation can call 913-945-8979.
Some studies enroll individuals over age 65 with Alzheimer’s or dementia; others involve seniors without Alzheimer’s or dementia. For instance, one study at the center is recruiting volunteers with mild Alzheimer’s to test whether a study drug may help improve cognitive functioning. Another study will follow seniors without memory loss and explore how nutrition and exercise influence healthy aging.
At present, volunteers participating in a study at the center must be reasonably fluent in English, but Vidoni said that could change as more Spanish-speaking seniors express interest.
“It’s a goal of ours, and we’ve looked at getting materials in Spanish,” he said.
Participating in Alzheimer’s research studies helps lead to better treatment and improve the odds of preventing and curing the disease, Vidoni said, adding, “Prevention and cure is difficult but definitely possible to achieve in the next 20 years.”
Alzheimer’s affects a growing number of Americans. On average, 10,000 people turn 65 each day, the Pew Center reports, and by 2030, a third of the population will be 65 and older. Today, more than five million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That number’s expected to rise to 7.1 million by 2025.
“Because there are so many older adults, there’s a lot of pressure and money being put toward finding cures and prevention,” Vidoni said.
The KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center (www.kualzheimer.org) is currently enrolling participants in nine studies. At least three additional studies will be added by year’s end, Vidoni said. One study will enroll older adults with hypertension and a family history of Alzheimer’s.
Among various personal benefits for some study participants are YMCA memberships and a personal trainer, financial compensation, study medication and physical and neurological exams.
The center is one of only 29 National Institutes of Health-designated Alzheimer’s centers nationwide and the only one in the region.
“The need for people to participate in our studies in huge,” Oliver said. “We’ve looked at projected studies over the next three-to-five years, and we anticipate needing at least 750 volunteers.”
Upcoming Informational Sessions at KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center
5:30 p.m., August 1
1 p.m., September 7,
10 a.m., October 3
11:30 a.m., November 4
Tips to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s
Be physically active; take a brisk, daily walk
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Get a good night’s sleep
Be socially engaged
Keep mentally active
