You have been invited to view this webpage after discussing our current studies with our team. We are available Monday – Friday on 0800 802 1030 to discuss any content included here.
What are these studies aiming to do?
Each of these studies are designed to slow or ideally halt the progression of memory problems and involve treatment with medications in the final stages of research (medications we know are safe and tolerated as they have been tested extensively in humans). Patients only come onto study if we confirm via the screening process that the cause for the memory issue is Alzheimer’s type dementia. Your GP and Memory Clinic are informed at each step if you are suitable with our Doctor.
What is the difference to this and my current memory medication?
Donepezil (or Aricept), Rivastigmine, Galantamine and Memantine all are what are called symptomatic medications. They will not be able to slow the progression of the condition but they may mask some symptoms of the disease. These medication help brain cells communicate but cannot stop plaque build up on the brain or inflammation that happens.
Current Studies:
The ALECTOR Study – Medication AL002
This study is only open in London and Plymouth centres
The ALECTOR study is open for participants aged 50-85. The study medication AL002 is an antibody designed to remove amyloid deposits from the brain. Patients will only access this medication if proven to have these plaques on the brain.
If eligible, you would be able to be on study for between 48-96 weeks having visits to the centre to receive this infusion of study drug once a month.
The APOLLO Study – Medication ALZ-801
https://alzheon.com/pipeline/alzheon-alz-801/
This study is open in London, Guildford, Plymouth and Birmingham centres
The APOLLO study is open for participants aged 50-80, and is recruiting only those individuals who have a specific genotype, E4/E4, which research suggests increases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease. You do not need to know your genetic status before screening, you will be tested for this genotype during this process.
If proven to have this gene and also confirmed to have early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease then you may be eligible to access the trial medication, ALZ-801, an oral drug that is designed to inhibit amyloid plaque formation on the brain.
The Together Study – Medication bepranemab
This study is open in London, Guildford, Plymouth and Birmingham centres
The Together study is open for participants aged 50-80. The study medication bepranemab is an antibody approach, looking at stopping the build up of tau proteins which are seen in Alzheimer’s patients. Patients will be tested to see if they have this abnormal protein before coming onto a study. Visits to receive the medication would be once a month, via intravenous infusion, as this medication is thought to be most effective when taken at this frequency.
The AC Immune Study – Medication ACI-24.060
This study is only open in the London centre
The AC Immune study is open for participants aged 50-75, and looks at a vaccine approach in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, specifically against amyloid protein build up in the brain. Participants will be tested to see if they have this abnormal protein before coming onto a study. The efficacy of the vaccine will be assessed over the course of 12 months.
The Explain-AD Study – Medication ADPT06
This study is only open in London, Guildford and Plymouth centres
The EXPLAIN-AD study is open for participants aged 45-90. The study looks at anti-inflammatory approach in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will be tested to see if they have this abnormal protein before coming onto a study, via a PET scan and mandatory lumbar puncture. If eligible, you would have visits to the centre to receive this infusion of study drug once a month.
What are the benefits of taking part?
- Early access to a medication aiming to slow progression (that no other medication can do in the UK)
- Confirmation via screening of amyloid plaque – the PET scan tells us if you have this plaque or not. If you do not have it you do not enter a study.
- Medical screening to pick up on any other problems you may have and referral for quick investigation
- Seen by an expert team in cognitive health
What do other patients say about your research?
Please click here to view a short video on our studies and some current volunteers who are on studies with us:
What tests are performed?
All trials in the UK will undergo a similar set of procedures, including an initial screening visit which involves a few cognitive (basic memory tests) and clinical (blood sample and an ECG) tests. There are below the more in-depth assessments to get a more clear cut understanding of a diagnosis.
| Trial name | CT Scan | MRI Scan* | PET Scan* | Lumbar Puncture* |
| APOLLO | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| INVOKE – Alector | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| TAUgether | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| AC Immune | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| *patients are eligible for this procedure if found to be suitable on their initial screening consultation. The procedure does not happen until 1-4 weeks after your first visit if found to be suitable. |
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How safe is it?
Each study is a phase III trial. Phase I will test safety and how well a drug is tolerated. Phase II tests this even further and also early checks whether drug is doing what is is supposed to do in patients with the condition. We would not be in the phase III stage if the medication had shown early signs or adverse reactions in patients. You will be provided a full list of seen side effects over the last decade that have been seen though these are always a low occurrence to be at this stage of research.
Do you liaise with my GP?
Yes, your GP and Memory Clinic are informed at each step if you are suitable with our Doctor. We do this after your first visit with us that confirms if you are suitable and your GP and/or neurologist would need to communicate with our doctor to agree this is in your best interests.
How do I know I am eligible?
Our team will be able to check your suitability with you. We would need to know the medications you currently use, the dosage and if its dosage has changed in the last 3 months, as well as any medical conditions currently present other than your memory concerns.
We have centres in London, Birmingham, Guildford, Plymouth, Winchester and Bristol (plus Fairfax, USA). Should you choose to come to a study with us at Re:Cognition Health you will benefit from one to one consultations from a leading team of Doctors with abundant experience in clinical research and memory studies.
Please also bear in mind participation is completely free and voluntary. You may of course withdraw at any stage. We will reimburse travel expenses up to £150 per visit to take part; if this needs to be higher please do let me know and I can make the adequate requests from the sponsor company.
We hope this explanation is helpful. Our team would welcome any opportunity to discuss the studies in more detail and answer any questions, either via email or over the phone freephone number – 0800 802 1030.