BU Enrolling Patients for Alzheimer's Study

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More than five million people are living with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. today. According to a recent study by the Alzheimer’s Association, around 120,000 of those people live in the state of Massachusetts.

No new drug has been approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of AD since 2003. Researchers at Boston University are aiming to address this gap. The school is participating in a national study to evaluate the potential benefits of an investigational medication for patients with mild-to-moderate AD. The medication could potentially help slow progression of the disease.

BU is currently enrolling patients in what is called the NOBLE study.

The NOBLE study, according to the cause’s official website, is a “Phase-2 multi-center, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study that will explore the potential of the investigational drug T-817MA, a neuroprotectant agent designed to protect against neuron loss.” Neuroprotectants are used for many central nervous system disorders including stroke and Parkinson’s disease, the website says. The duration of treatment is about 14 months.

“The disease is now cited as the third leading cause of death in the United States,” said Dr. Robert Stern, Director of the Clinical Core of the BU Alzheimer’s Disease, in a BU bylined article. “The neuroprotectant approach [used in the NOBLE study] that has been used successful in many central nervous system disorders including stroke and Parkinson’s disease.”

Participants will be screened for eligibility and must be:

• Aged 55-85 years old with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
• Taking certain Alzheimer’s disease medications for at least six months
• Living in the community (not a nursing home)
• Have a study partner that has regular contact and who will attend study visits
• Weigh no more than 220 pounds

Boston University is serving as a nearby clinical trial site.

Click here to visit the NOBLE study website.