New Research studies link between gut bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease

True North Clinical Research is actively looking for participants for a new phase 3 clinical trial.

Nova Scotia’s True North Clinical Research is currently involved in a research study that hopes to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease more effectively.

True North, a clinical research and memory facility based in Halifax and New Minas, is working with Shanghai Green Valley Pharmaceutical Co. LTD to test the safety and effectiveness of a medication called Green Memory (GV-971). This is a phase 3 clinical trial, which means the medication has successfully moved through two phases of research study.

Research study focuses on medication’s safety and efficacy

The purpose of this study is to assess the safety (symptoms and medical problems that participants may experience – known as side effects) and efficacy (how much the study drug improves symptoms and reduces amyloid in the brain) of the study drug in eligible research patients.

According to Christina Foy, CCRP, Clinical Research Coordinator and Halifax Team Lead for True North Clinical Research, this trial is testing a drug that aims to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut using a derivative of brown algae, which is slightly unique in terms of treatments for Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease.

Christina explains, “There are certain kinds of bacteria that are thought to cause inflammation in the brain and the nerves. This medication is thought to reduce the formation of certain proteins that can harm the brains of people who are experiencing mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease. This medication has already been approved in some parts of Asia to help treat mild to moderate cognitive decline.”

The study will run for approximately 78 weeks. Participants who qualify for this study and agree to participate will receive a daily dose of either the treatment or the placebo. Participants will not be aware of whether they are receiving the placebo or the active medication while in the study. Participation in the study is voluntary, and participants can withdraw at any time.

Volunteer study participants needed

True North Clinical Research is actively looking for study participants who are between 50 and 85 years old, have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and are not currently taking a memory booster (medication related to memory loss).

“Study participants must also designate a study partner. This is someone who has known them very well for at least a year and spends three or more days a week with them. The study partner must also attend all study visits with the participant and facilitate their involvement in the clinical trial,” says Christina.

“Participants will visit the clinic for an initial screening period for up to eight weeks to assess if the study is suitable for them. If it is, they will then take part in a 52-week treatment period with approximately six in-person visits to our clinic,” she explains. “The drug or placebo tablet would be taken twice daily, eight hours apart. An additional 26-week Open Label Extension period may also be available after the treatment period has completed, in which all patients can receive the active medication.”

Reaching out to True North

Pre-Screening for any of True North’s Clinical trials, including the Green Memory study, begins with a current memory assessment. This is a free memory test, conducted at True North Memory Clinic in Halifax or New Minas, which will help determine what, if any, level of memory impairment an individual is experiencing. This is not a diagnostic assessment.

To find out more about this and other clinical research studies or to schedule a free memory assessment, individuals should contact True North Clinical Research’s Memory Clinic at 1-855-378-8783 or visit their website.