Alzheimer's Association® TrialMatch™ Connects More Than 2,500 People with Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Nationwide

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Jul 17, 2011, 06:01 ET

- Family Split Between Florida & Texas Finds Success with TrialMatch -

PARIS, July 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- When her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010, Dr. Denise Canchola immediately recognized the importance of enrolling her in a clinical trial. But even Dr. Canchola, a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner based in Pompano Beach, FL, needed help and resources to search for clinical trials near her mother Gabriela's hometown of San Antonio, TX. Being located hundreds of miles apart, Dr. Canchola and her family used Alzheimer's Association® TrialMatch™ to easily connect to Alzheimer's clinical studies nationwide.

Since its debut during the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2010, Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch has matched more than 2,500 people to Alzheimer's clinical trials based on their diagnosis, preferences and location. The internet (www.alz.org/trialmatch) and phone-based (800-272-3900) service provides comprehensive clinical trial information and an individualized matching service for people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, their caregivers, family members and doctors.

"My mother is passionate about the fight against Alzheimer's," said Dr. Canchola. "She understands the significance of advancing research through clinical trials and we turned to Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch to find the trials for which she was qualified, and were near enough for her to travel."

Dr. Canchola and her siblings learned about Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch through the Alzheimer's Association website at www.alz.org. The service connected them with trained staff and a database of Alzheimer's clinical trials that are actively recruiting participants.

"The Alzheimer's Association website made it very simple to set up a profile, and TrialMatch provided my family with immediate information about local clinical trials in Texas," said Dr. Canchola. "I was concerned since I live out of state, but we spoke with a TrialMatch specialist who has remained in touch with our family throughout this whole process."

By utilizing Alz Association TrialMatch's free and confidential services, Gabriela is currently participating in an Alzheimer's drug trial. For people with Alzheimer's and their caregivers, clinical trials present an opportunity to play a more active role in their own treatment, contribute to scientific discovery, and benefit future generations.

"One of the greatest obstacles to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments is recruiting and retaining trial participants," said William Thies, Ph.D., Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association. "Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch was launched in 2010 as a user-friendly and individualized guide to Alzheimer's clinical trials. If we can fill the trials faster, we will get answers faster and get closer to finding better treatments and a cure for Alzheimer's."

There are as many as 5.4 million Americans living with the disease and every 69 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association's 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. The annual total number of new cases of Alzheimer's and other dementias is projected to double by 2050.

About Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch
Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch is easy to use – with web and phone support, specially trained staff and tools developed with input from people with Alzheimer's. Since the service launched in July 2010, nearly 12,000 individuals have registered to search for Alzheimer's clinical trials. Currently, Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch lists 131 research studies with 545 trial sites nationwide.

The strength of this Web- and national 800 line-based service is its comprehensive, constantly updated database of Alzheimer's, mild cognitive impairment and other dementia trials taking place across the U.S. Specialists at the Alzheimer's Association's national Helpline – available 24-hours a day – assist in the process of matching individuals to clinical trials for which they are eligible based on study criteria, diagnosis, treatment history and location. They answer questions about the trial process and connect individuals with trial sites based on their unique profile. Patients and caregivers are encouraged to share their trial matches with their healthcare professionals to help decide whether a clinical trial is appropriate.

How to use Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch
STEP 1: Access TrialMatch online at www.alz.org/TrialMatch or by calling (800) 272-3900.
STEP 2: Complete a brief questionnaire, either online or over the phone, to create a profile.
STEP 3: Based on specified eligibility criteria (i.e., diagnosis, treatment history, location), the Alzheimer's Association will match your unique profile to its clinical trial database.
STEP 4: With your permission, an Alzheimer's Association specialist will contact you to provide unbiased trial result options and trial site contact information. Specialists will not recommend any particular trial, but will help you identify trials that match your specific eligibility and criteria. Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch specialists are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

The technology and platform for Alzheimer's Association TrialMatch is provided by EmergingMed.

About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit www.alz.org or call 800-272-3900.

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association