SHRI enrolls Alzheimer's patients in clinical trial

Sun Health Research Institute is enrolling patients with Alzheimer’s disease in the CONCERT study, a new clinical trial that will test an investigational drug.

The test involves the drug Dimebon (latrepirdine) for patients currently taking Aricept(r) (donepezil HCI tablets), an Alzheimer’s disease medication.

"Alzheimer’s is a complex disease and while current medications address symptoms for some patients, the disease often requires combination therapy to maximize clinical benefit," said Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, chief medical/scientific officer at the institute. "CONCERT is an important study because Dimebon is thought to work differently than current medications, and this study will evaluate whether adding it to one of the most commonly used Alzheimer’s medications will provide more effective symptomatic treatment to patients."

CONCERT is an international, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will enroll about 1,050 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. It will be tested at 100 sites in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Western Europe.

According to estimates from the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, which hinders a patient’s ability to remember, learn and perform daily activities and relate to others.

As the Baby Boomer population ages, Alzheimer’s is expected to increase dramatically, health experts say.

For information on eligibility and enrollment, patients and caregivers can call the Sun Health Research Institute at 623-875-6500 or visit www.concertstudy.com.

For information, visit www.shri.org or www.bannerhealth.com.