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Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Commentary

Study partners: essential collaborators in discovering treatments for Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: Emily A. Largent, Jason Karlawish, Joshua D. Grill

Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Global leaders have set an ambitious goal of developing interventions to effectively treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease by 2025.

Case presentation

Achieving this goal will require clinical trials to test promising interventions, yet Alzheimer’s researchers are confronting a clinical trial recruitment crisis. One reason for this is that Alzheimer’s disease trials must enroll “dyads” composed of both a participant and his or her study partner.

Conclusions

In this article, we argue that it is essential to identify ways to facilitate study partner participation, such as removing logistical barriers, offering payment, and providing paid, protected time off for study visits. Facilitating participation, particularly among non-spousal study partners, should offer a twofold benefit: faster accrual and greater generalizability of results.
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Metadata
Title
Study partners: essential collaborators in discovering treatments for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors
Emily A. Largent
Jason Karlawish
Joshua D. Grill
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1758-9193
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-018-0425-4

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