May 25, 2005

National Clinical Trial for Alzheimer’s Disease Underway at SIU Med School

A national Alzheimer's disease clinical drug trial is being conducted at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and its Center for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders (CADRD) in Springfield. The phase II trial of the investigational drug, ONO-2506PO, is looking at the benefits and side effects of the drug in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

"This study may help patients with Alzheimer’s disease because the goal is to see if this drug can decrease inflammation associated with the disease and thereby protect brain function," said Dr. Dennis Q. McManus, associate professor of neurology, a member of SIU’s CADRD and director of the study.

Volunteers between the ages of 50 and 90 years of age are being sought. They should be in generally good health or have stable medical conditions and have caregivers who have regular contact with participants. Individuals currently taking Aricept or Exelon may be eligible to participate and able to continue taking their current medication. Each participant will receive a physical examination and other tests before beginning and during 11 follow-up visits over 52 weeks. There is no charge to the participants for the tests and medications related to the study, which is sponsored by ONO Pharma USA. Results can be shared with the participant's personal physician when they are available.

For more information on these trials, contact Linda Read, R.N., 217-545-8034 weekdays or email lread@siumed.edu.

SIU's Alzheimer Center in Springfield is made up of a team of specialists who use a variety of diagnostic techniques to provide a comprehensive evaluation because no single test or examination can yield a definite diagnosis. SIU uses a network of 26 primary provider sites serving 93 counties as part of its Springfield-based center.

The SIU Alzheimer Center uses a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-DIAL-SIU (1-800-342-5748). The Center’s web site is www.siumed.edu/cadrd/.

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