September 19, 2006
Roskamp Institute Marks World Alzheimer’s Day by Announcing
the Launch of Major Clinical Study on Promising New Alzheimer’s
Treatment
Institute makes history as first ever Florida-based research
team to conduct human clinical studies to test original Alzheimer’s
treatment research
SARASOTA, FL – The Roskamp Institute of Sarasota, Florida,
today announced the launch of a major clinical study to test a
promising new drug application for the treatment of Alzheimer’s
Disease. The announcement, timed to coincide with this week’s
World Alzheimer’s Day, marks the first time that a Florida-based
research institute has conducted human clinical studies resulting
from its own original Alzheimer’s research. World Alzheimer’s
Day is this Thursday, September 21.
The new 18-month study, which will be conducted in partnership
with the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience in Dublin,
Ireland, will help determine if the hypertension (high blood pressure)
drug Nilvadipine could be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s
disease. In pre-clinical studies on mice, Nilvadipine was found
to decrease the levels in the brain of a protein called ßamyloid.
It is the presence of ßamyloid in the brain that is believed
to cause the onset of Alzheimer’s. The drug was also found
to increase the flow of blood to the brain, which is believed
to be beneficial in the treatment of the disease.
The purpose of the study is to determine whether the drug will
have the same effect on humans suffering from Alzheimer’s
as it did in the pre-clinical studies on mice. The pilot study
will be a first step in trying to develop a potential treatment
for Alzheimer’s disease, and if successful, could change
the direction of other studies of dementia. The study will be
directed by Roskamp researchers Doctors Michael Mullan and Fiona
Crawford, as well as a team of top neuroscience researchers in
Ireland.
“This study is both exciting for the Roskamp Institute
and its researchers, and encouraging for the millions of Alzheimer’s
sufferers,” stated Dr. Mullan, the institute’s executive
director. “As scientists, we are always cautious when testing
new drug therapies and are careful not to unrealistically raise
expectations and hopes too high. The road to finding a cure for
Alzheimer’s disease is a long one, but it is our hope that
the research gained through this study will put us one step closer
to that ultimate goal.”
“I can think of no better way to commemorate World Alzheimer’s
Day than by announcing this exciting new clinical study,”
stated Chuck Albrecht, senior vice president of the Alzheimer’s
Association – Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, which through
its nine regional offices provides support to people living with
Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers, patient and family
services, education, advocacy and research.
“We are all proud that some of the world’s most
cutting-edge Alzheimer’s research is being done right here
in Florida at the Roskamp Institute,” Albrecht continued.
“On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association, I would
like to congratulate the Roskamp Institute on the launch of their
new study, and wish them all the best in the hope of its success.”
While the clinical study itself will be conducted in Ireland,
there are several supporting studies which will be conducted in
the Tampa Bay area. To assist with its research, the Roskamp Institute
is looking for volunteers who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease. Participants will be asked to give a small amount of
blood on three occasions over a four-week period. Though no drug
will be administered during this research, this investigation
will provide critical data to supplement the human clinical study
being conducted in Ireland.
“As we prepare to observe World Alzheimer’s Day,
it is fitting to note that people here in Florida can play a direct
role in aiding the research we are doing in Ireland,” stated
Dr. Fiona Crawford, the institute’s deputy director. “The
fight against Alzheimer’s is going to take a global effort
and the Roskamp Institute is honored to be playing a part.”
The Roskamp Institute is devoted to understanding causes of and
finding cures for diseases of the mind like neuropsychiatric and
neurodegenerative disorders and addictions. The Institute utilizes
a broad range of scientific approaches to understanding the causes
of and potential therapies for these disorders with an emphasis
on Alzheimer's disease.
For more information please contact the Roskamp Institute in
Sarasota (941) 752-2949, the Roskamp Institute Memory Center in
Tampa (813) 979-2008, or visit us online at www.rfdn.org.
CONTACT: SARAH BASCOM
(850) 294-66
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