Clinical trials in dementia care

If you have recently been diagnosed with dementia, you may be eligible to take part in a clinical trial. General health may be a deciding factor as to whether you take part, or not. Your GP may be aware of clinical trials that are available, and if you are under the care of a consultant, they might be able to inform you of trials that are taking place for your type of dementia. 

Many trials will undertake a full medical screening before you take part, to identify anything that may preclude you from the research. 

How do you find out about trials? 

The internet is a great space, use it to find out more information. If you are not sure about the medical research facility that is running the trial, take the information along with you to your next appointment with your GP. Discuss the reasons why you want to be considered and why they think you may not be suitable, if any. 

You can look on various dementia charity websites, to find out about trials that they may be running. Many of these may well be undertaken at a research facility of a university. Take a look at some of the large UK university websites also, by running a search for dementia trials in the UK, or how can I take part in a current trial. 

What sort of trials can I be involved in? 

You could be asked to take part in a research project that is testing the benefit of taking certain products or foods to help with memory. Or you could be involved in a trial that involves testing medication to try and slow the progression of dementia, or cure it. By being part of a clinical trial you can be involved with testing potential new drugs and determining how successful they may be in treating or curing dementia. 

Why take part in a trial? 

Research is continuous into effective treatments or cures for dementia. By taking part in a trial you can be involved in testing treatments which may improve dementia outcomes for yourself or reduce the symptoms of dementia. By taking part in that trial you could also be helping to identify new treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms of dementia for other patients as well.   

Summary

If you are unsure about anything to do with a trial, remember that you don’t have to do it. It is your choice to take part, or not. Similarly, if you are not sure about the organisation that is offering the trial, then try and find out information about them beforehand. As much as you may be keen to get involved in a trial, remember to think about who you are undertaking that trial with. Trials are an important way of testing medication, alternative therapies and possible cures for dementia. Ask lots of questions, to understand what may be involved in the trial. You might be part of a group that tests medication with a potential cure, but you could be a part of the trial that takes a placebo drug (but not know). Think about how you may feel about this too.