EAST SYRACUSE–Last week, Clarity Clinical Research administered the first research treatment in the world for the Green Memory study to Mark Cornue, a local Jordan resident and Alzheimer’s patient. The Green Memory study is a noninvasive Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial researching whether rebalancing certain bacteria in the gut improves brain function.
“I lost my father to Alzheimer’s disease and now I have it, but I don’t want my grandkids to have it,” Cornue said. “I hope we can make it so we don’t have to do this. I want it to stop.”
The Green Memory study will look at whether a naturally derived investigational medication – an easy-to-take pill – may improve brain function by rebalancing certain bacteria in the gut. Previous research has shown that the targeted bacteria may cause inflammation in the brain and nerves, possibly contributing to the disease.
“We are very excited and honored to be leading the way on the Green Memory study,” said Dr. Karl Hafner, MD, principal investigator of the Green Memory study at Clarity Clinical Research. “Thousands of scientists will look to this data to understand the connection between the gut and the brain – we will learn new and valuable information about Alzheimer’s disease because of this research.”
Clarity Clinical Research is a part of the Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation network (GAP-Net) of over 80 research centers in North America which benefit from sharing knowledge and experience in order to effectively and efficiently work toward progress in neurodegenerative conditions. Of the research centers in North America working on the Green Memory study, more than half are part of GAP-Net allowing many in the U.S. to participate in this study.
“It’s been nearly 20 years since the last medication was approved to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and not many current studies enroll those with moderate Alzheimer’s,” said GAP President John Dwyer. “The Green Memory study represents a novel, promising, and easy to administer medication to treat mild and moderate Alzheimer’s disease.”
Researchers are looking for volunteers for the Green Memory study who: Are between 50 and 85 years old. Are experiencing memory issues or have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Have a “study partner” who knows them well, is with them three or more days a week, and can attend study visits.
The Green Memory study involves a year of treatment with as few as seven clinic visits and additional research visits conducted by telephone. During the treatment period, 50% of participants will receive the investigational medication in pill form while 50% of participants will receive a placebo (an inactive medication). Every participant may be eligible to receive the investigational medication for 26 weeks after completion of their initial year of study participation. There is no cost to participate.
The Green Memory study is being conducted per an investigational new drug application to the U.S Food & Drug Administration. The naturally derived investigational medication was previously researched and found safe and effective outside the U.S.
The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation® (GAP) is a patient-centric nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the delivery of innovative therapies for neurological disorders by reducing the duration and cost of clinical trials. Research centers across the US and Canada are part of the growing GAP Network (GAP-Net). GAP supports GAP-Net research centers by assisting with study start up and recruitment activities, promoting diversity in research studies, and offering national programs that champion brain health and the citizen scientists who make research possible.
Clarity Clinical Research is a dedicated research clinic specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Its team works with the Central New York community to provide no-cost screening to patients to help each individual identify which clinical trials may be the best fit for them. For those interested in memory loss research (including Alzheimer’s disease), pre-screening may include a review of medical history and standardized memory assessments to gauge cognitive functioning.
Submitted photo
Last week Clarity Clinical Research administered the first research treatment in the world for the Green Memory study to Mark Cornue, pictured with his wife Irene.
