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1.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 11(3): 558-566, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38706272

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clinical trial satisfaction is increasingly important for future trial designs and is associated with treatment adherence and willingness to enroll in future research studies or to recommend trial participation. In this post-trial survey, we examined participant satisfaction and attitudes toward future clinical trials in the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU). METHODS: We developed an anonymous, participant satisfaction survey tailored to participants enrolled in the DIAN-TU-001 double-blind clinical trial of solanezumab or gantenerumab and requested that all study sites share the survey with their trial participants. A total of 194 participants enrolled in the trial at 24 study sites. We utilized regression analysis to explore the link between participants' clinical trial experiences, their satisfaction, and their willingness to participate in upcoming trials. RESULTS: Survey responses were received over a sixteen-month window during 2020-2021 from 58 participants representing 15 study sites. Notably, 96.5% of the survey respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction with the trial, 91.4% would recommend trial participation, and 96.5% were willing to enroll again. Age, gender, and education did not influence satisfaction levels. Participants reported enhanced medical care (70.7%) and pride in contributing to the DIAN-TU trial (84.5%). Satisfaction with personnel and procedures was high (98.3%). Respondents had a mean age of 48.7 years, with most being from North America and Western Europe, matching the trial's demographic distribution. Participants' decisions to learn their genetic status increased during the trial, and most participants endorsed considering future trial participation regardless of the DIAN-TU-001 trial outcome. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that DIAN-TU-001 participants who responded to the survey exhibited high motivation to participate in research, overall satisfaction with the clinical trial, and willingness to participate in research in the future, despite a long trial duration of 4-7 years with detailed annual clinical, cognitive, PET, MRI, and lumbar puncture assessments. Implementation of features that alleviate barriers and challenges to trial participation is like to have a high impact on trial satisfaction and reduce participant burden.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized , Patient Satisfaction , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method , Adult , Surveys and Questionnaires , Clinical Trials as Topic
2.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 11(2): 294-302, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38374735

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prior studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker disclosure have answered important questions about individuals' safety after learning and comprehending their amyloid PET results; however, these studies have typically employed highly structured disclosure protocols and focused on the psychological impact of disclosure (e.g., anxiety, depression, and suicidality) in homogeneous populations. More work is needed to develop flexible disclosure protocols and study outcomes in ethnoculturally representative samples. METHODS: The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is formally incorporating amyloid PET disclosure into the newest protocol (ADNI-4). Participants across the cognitive spectrum who wish to know their amyloid PET results may learn them. The pragmatic disclosure process spans four timepoints: (1) a pre-disclosure visit, (2) the PET scan and its read, (3) a disclosure visit, and (4) a post-disclosure check-in. This process applies to all participants, with slight modifications to account for their cognitive status. In designing this process, special emphasis was placed on utilizing investigator discretion. Participant measures include perceived risk of dementia, purpose in life, and disclosure satisfaction. Investigator assessment of the disclosure visit (e.g., challenges encountered, topics discussed, etc.) is also included. RESULTS: Data collection is ongoing. Results will allow for more robust characterization of the impact of learning amyloid PET results on individuals and describe the perspectives of investigators. CONCLUSION: The pragmatic design of the disclosure process in ADNI-4 coupled with the novel participant and investigator data will inform future disclosure practices. This is especially important as disclosure of biomarker results expands in research and care.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/diagnostic imaging , Disclosure , Positron-Emission Tomography , Neuroimaging/methods , Amyloid , Biomarkers
3.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 11(2): 285-293, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38374734

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker tests can be ordered as part of the diagnostic workup of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Little is known about how patients with MCI and their care partners decide whether to pursue testing. OBJECTIVE: To examine factors that influence AD biomarker testing decisions among patients with MCI and their care partners. DESIGN: We performed structured research interviews with patients with MCI and their study partners to assess the importance of eight factors in the decision whether to undergo AD biomarker testing (6-point Likert scale; 1-extremely unimportant to 6-extremely important): cost, fear of testing procedures, learning if AD is the cause of cognitive problems, concern about health insurance, instructing future planning, informing treatment decisions, family members' opinions, and doctor recommendation. SETTING: Two researchers administered interviews with participants in-person (i.e., participant home, research center) or remotely (i.e., telephone, video-conference). PARTICIPANTS: We completed interviews with 65 patients with a diagnosis of MCI and 57 study partners, referred by dementia specialist clinicians from the University of California, Irvine health system. MEASUREMENTS: We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine the mean importance of each factor among patients and study partners, and the mean difference in importance of each factor within dyads. RESULTS: One third of participants reported the patient had previously undergone AD biomarker testing. Fifty-five percent of patients and 65% of study partners who reported no previous testing indicated a desire for the patient to be tested. GEE analyses found that patients and study partners rated the following factors with highest importance: informing treatment decisions (mean score 5.29, 95% CI: 5.06, 5.52 for patients; mean score 5.56, 95% CI: 5.41, 5.72 for partners); doctor recommendation (4.94, 95% CI: 4.73, 5.15 for patients; 5.16, 95% CI: 4.97, 5.34 for partners); and instructing future planning (4.88, 95% CI: 4.59, 5.16 for patients; 5.11, 95% CI: 4.86, 5.35 for partners). High dyadic agreement was observed for all factors except fear of testing, which patients rated with lower importance than their study partners. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarker testing for AD in patients with MCI is a rapidly evolving practice and limited data exist on patient perspectives. In this study, most patients and their care partners were interested in testing to help inform treatment decisions and to plan for the future. Participants placed high importance on clinician recommendations for biomarker testing, highlighting the need for clear communication and education on the options, limitations, risks, and benefits of testing.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cognitive Dysfunction , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Caregivers , Disease Progression , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Biomarkers
4.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 10(3): 471-477, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37357287

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cohort effects in study populations can impact clinical trial conclusions and generalizability, particularly in trials with planned interim analyses. Long recruitment windows may exacerbate these risks in Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of cohort effects mild-to-moderate AD trials. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis using pooled participant-level data from nine randomized, placebo-controlled trials conducted by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). SETTING: Trials were multicenter studies conducted by an academic trial network. PARTICIPANTS: The trials enrolled participants with mild, mild-to-moderate, or moderate AD who were over age 50 and had mini mental state exam scores between 12 and 26. Interventions/Exposure: We defined a participant's site-standardized enrollment time as the number of days between their screening date and the first screening date among randomized participants at their site within their study. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): Our primary outcome was the 12-month change in the AD assessment scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog). Secondary outcomes were participant demographics and time to study discontinuation. RESULTS: The pooled sample consisted of N=2,754 at baseline with N=2,191 participants completing a 12-month visit. We found no meaningful differences in the distributions of sex, race and ethnicity, age, years of education or baseline ADAS-Cog score across enrollment time. We found a significant association between enrollment time and 12-month change in ADAS-Cog, with participants enrolling 100 days later tending to experience an increase on the ADAS-Cog of 0.16 points greater (reflecting greater cognitive decline; 95% CI: (0.021, 0.294), p = 0.02), after controlling for potential confounding factors. CONCLUSION: We found minimal evidence of clinically relevant cohort effects in ADCS trials. Our results reinforce the original findings of these trials.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cognitive Dysfunction , Humans , Middle Aged , Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Cohort Effect , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Research Design
5.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 10(1): 34-40, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36641608

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recruitment to dementia prevention clinical trials is challenging, and participants are not representative of US adults at risk. A better understanding of the general public's interest in dementia prevention research participation is needed to inform future recruitment strategies. OBJECTIVE: To examine US adults' characteristics associated with self-reported likelihood to participate in dementia prevention clinical trials. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using the October 2018 wave of the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. SETTING: The National Poll on Healthy Aging is a nationally representative survey of adults using KnowledgePanel (Ipsos Public Affairs LLC), a probability-based panel of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed data from 1,028 respondents, ages 50 to 64 years, who completed a web survey module on brain health. MEASUREMENTS: We used logistic regression models to examine associations between sociodemographic and dementia-related factors (e.g., family history) and self-reported likelihood to participate in a dementia prevention clinical trial of a new medicine ("very" or "somewhat likely" vs. "not likely" survey responses). Among respondents not likely to participate, we examined frequency of reasons endorsed for this decision, stratified by age, sex, and race and ethnicity. RESULTS: Of the 1,028 respondents, half were female, 68% Non-Hispanic White, 13% Hispanic, and 12% Non-Hispanic Black. Twelve percent of respondents reported being very likely to participate in a dementia prevention trial, 32% somewhat likely, and 56% not likely. Factors associated with higher likelihood to participate were higher perceived risk of dementia [OR, 2.17 (95% CI, 1.61, 2.93)], a positive family history of dementia [OR, 1.75 (95% CI, 1.27, 2.43)], and having discussed dementia prevention with a doctor [OR, 2.20 (95% CI, 1.10, 4.42)]. There were no differences in likelihood to participate by sociodemographic characteristics. Among 570 respondents not likely to participate, 39% said they did not want to be a guinea pig, 23% thought dementia would not affect them, 22% thought there would be too high a chance for harm, 15% indicated study participation would take too much time, and 5% reported fear of learning information about oneself. There were no differences across age, sex, and racial and ethnic groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, perceived risk of dementia, family history, and discussion of prevention with a doctor were associated with likelihood to participate in a dementia prevention clinical trial, whereas sociodemographic factors including race and ethnicity were not. Findings suggest that recruitment interventions focused on increasing knowledge of dementia risk and prevention trials and involving healthcare providers may be effective tools to improve enrollment rates, regardless of target community.


Subject(s)
Dementia , Healthy Aging , Humans , Female , Animals , Guinea Pigs , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , Ethnicity , Probability , Dementia/prevention & control
6.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 9(4): 665-671, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36281670

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges in clinical research operations that required immediate and lasting changes. OJBECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore adaptations to clinical trial research due to COVID-19 and develop a theoretical framework of emergent strategies related to pandemic mitigation in a national network of Alzheimer's disease clinical trial sites. DESIGN: This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach including semi-structured interviews, constant comparative methods, and multi-level, iterative coding. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six member sites of the Alzheimer's Clinical Trial Consortium participated with a total of 49 participants. RESULTS: Findings demonstrate processes of adaptation following COVID-19 onset including establishing safety as priority, focus on scientific preservation, accommodations (creating policies, leadership mindset, maintaining operations, and determining research procedures), and evaluation of changes throughout the course of the pandemic. Communication and maintaining integrity were vital throughout these processes. CONCLUSION: Processes of accommodation among clinical research sites during the pandemic provide critical insights and direction for future clinical trials development and emergent methods in Alzheimer's disease and other therapeutic areas.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , COVID-19 , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Pandemics , Clinical Trials as Topic
7.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 9(3): 388-392, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35841239

ABSTRACT

As the last opportunity to assess treatment effect modification in a controlled setting prior to formal approval, clinical trials are a critical tool for understanding the safety and efficacy of new treatments in diverse populations. Recruitment of diverse participants in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) clinical trials are therefore essential to increase the generalizability of study results, with diversity broadly described to be representative and inclusive. This representation of study participants is equally critical in longitudinal cohort (observational) studies, which will be key to understanding disease disparities and are often used to design adequately powered AD clinical trials. New and innovative recruitment initiatives and enhanced infrastructure facilitate increased participant diversity in AD clinical studies.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Advisory Committees , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Humans
8.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 9(2): 286-296, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35543002

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is evidence of relationships between behavioral symptoms and increased risk for Alzheimer's Disease and/or Alzheimer's Disease biomarkers. However, the nature of this relationship is currently unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms and amyloid-ß deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults, and to assess mediating effects of either objective or subjective cognitive skills. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of screening data from participants enrolled in the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer Disease (A4) Study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02008357). SETTING: Data analysis. PARTICIPANTS: 4492 cognitively unimpaired adults, age 65-85, enrolled in the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer Disease (A4) Study. MEASUREMENTS: We used linear regression to estimate the associations between amyloid-ß standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores while adjusting for potential confounding factors as well as for Cognitive Function Index (CFI) or Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (PACC) scores as possible mediational variables. RESULTS: 4399 subjects with complete covariates were included (mean age: 71.3, 59% female), GDS ranged 0-13 (mean: 1.0), and STAI ranged 6-24 (mean: 9.9). Amyloid-ß SUVR was modestly associated with STAI; mean STAI score was estimated to be 0.275 points higher (95% CI: 0.038, 0.526; p-value = 0.023) for each 0.5-point increase in cortical amyloid-ß SUVR. Subjective cognitive decline (CFI) attenuated the relationship between SUVR and STAI, while objective cognitive function (PACC) did not. No statistically significant relationship between SUVR and GDS was observed (p = 0.326). CONCLUSIONS: In cognitively unimpaired adults with low levels of depression and anxiety, cortical amyloid-ß deposition is associated with anxiety but not depressive symptoms. Attenuation of this relationship by subjective cognitive difficulties suggests that anxiety may be partly due to such a perception resulting from cortical amyloid-ß deposition.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Alzheimer Disease/complications , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Anxiety , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression , Female , Humans , Male , Positron-Emission Tomography/methods
9.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 9(1): 119-125, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35098982

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Disparities in clinical research participation perpetuate broader health disparities. Recruitment registries are novel tools to address known challenges in accrual to clinical research. Registries may accelerate accrual, but the utility of these tools to improve generalizability is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To examine the diversity of a local on-line recruitment registry using the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a publicly available metric of neighborhood disadvantage. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Data were collected in the University of California Irvine Consent-to-Contact Registry. PARTICIPANTS: We categorized N=2,837 registry participants based on the ADI decile (collapsed into quintiles) using a state-based rankings. MEASUREMENTS: We examined the proportion of enrollees per ADI quintile and quantified the demographics of these groups. We assessed willingness to participate in studies involving unique research procedures among the ADI groups. RESULTS: Although registry enrollees represented the full spectrum of the ADI, they disproportionately represented less disadvantaged neighborhoods (lowest to highest quintiles: 42%, 30%, 15%, 6%, 7%). Compared to participants from less disadvantaged neighborhoods, participants from more disadvantaged neighborhoods were more often female, of non-white race, and Hispanic ethnicity. Despite demographic differences, ADI groups were observed to have similar willingness to participate in research studies. CONCLUSIONS: People from more disadvantaged neighborhoods may be underrepresented in recruitment registries, increasing the risk that they will be underrepresented when using these tools to facilitate prospective recruitment to clinical research. Once enrolled in registries, participants from more disadvantaged neighborhoods may be equally willing to participate in research. Efforts to increase representation of participants from disadvantaged neighborhoods in registries could be an important first step toward increasing the generalizability of clinical research.


Subject(s)
Quality Indicators, Health Care , Residence Characteristics , Female , Humans , Prospective Studies , Registries , Retrospective Studies
10.
J Nutr Health Aging ; 25(10): 1167-1178, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34866144

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. The strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic AD is carriage of the ε4 allele of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. Strategies to slow the progression of AD, including dietary interventions, may be modified by the pathogenic effect of this polymorphism. Our objective in this review was to determine the extent and quality of the literature investigating how dietary factors and interventions interact with the APOE ε4 genotype to impact cognitive decline in AD. To that end, we performed a systematic scoping review of published English-language articles involving human subjects. We found evidence suggesting that adherence to a Mediterranean diet may reduce cognitive decline among APOE ε4 carriers, whereas ketogenic agents appear to be ineffective. Diets high in saturated fats may be particularly harmful for APOE ε4 carriers. We identified several topics, including the use of ω-3 fatty acid and antioxidant supplements, for which additional high level evidence is needed.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Apolipoprotein E4 , Cognitive Dysfunction , Diet , Neurodegenerative Diseases , Alleles , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Alzheimer Disease/pathology , Alzheimer Disease/prevention & control , Apolipoprotein E4/genetics , Cognitive Dysfunction/genetics , Cognitive Dysfunction/prevention & control , Genotype , Humans
11.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 8(3): 257-262, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34101781

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Greater subjective cognitive changes on the Cognitive Function Index (CFI) was previously found to be associated with elevated amyloid (Aß) status in participants screening for the A4 Study, reported by study partners and the participants themselves. While the total score on the CFI related to amyloid for both sources respectively, potential differences in the specific types of cognitive changes reported by either participants or their study partners was not investigated. OBJECTIVES: To determine the specific types of subjective cognitive changes endorsed by participants and their study partners that are associated with amyloid status in individuals screening for an AD prevention trial. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand four hundred and eighty-six cognitively unimpaired (CDR=0; MMSE 25-30) participants (ages 65-85) screening for the A4 Study completed florbetapir (Aß) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging. Participants were classified as elevated amyloid (Aß+; n=1323) or non-elevated amyloid (Aß-; n=3163). MEASUREMENTS: Prior to amyloid PET imaging, subjective report of changes in cognitive functioning were measured using the CFI (15 item questionnaire; Yes/Maybe/No response options) and administered separately to both participants and their study partners (i.e., a family member or friend in regular contact with the participant). The impact of demographic factors on CFI report was investigated. For each item of the CFI, the relationship between Aß and CFI response was investigated using an ordinal mixed effects model for participant and study partner report. RESULTS: Independent of Aß status, participants were more likely to report 'Yes' or 'Maybe' compared to the study partners for nearly all CFI items. Older age (r= 0.06, p<0.001) and lower education (r=-0.08, p<0.001) of the participant were associated with higher CFI. Highest coincident odds ratios related to Aß+ for both respondents included items assessing whether 'a substantial decline in memory' had occurred in the last year (ORsp= 1.35 [95% CI 1.11, 1.63]; ORp= 1.55 [95% CI 1.34, 1.79]) and whether the participant had 'seen a doctor about memory' (ORsp= 1.56 [95% CI 1.25, 1.95]; ORp =1.71 [95% CI 1.37, 2.12]). For two items, associations were significant for only study partner report; whether the participant 'Repeats questions' (ORsp = 1.30 [95% CI 1.07, 1.57]) and has 'trouble following the news' (ORsp= 1.46[95% CI 1.12, 1.91]). One question was significant only for participant report; 'trouble driving' (ORp= 1.25 [95% CI 1.04, 1.49]). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated Aß is associated with greater reporting of subjective cognitive changes as measured by the CFI in this cognitively unimpaired population. While participants were more likely than study partners to endorse change on most CFI items, unique CFI items were associated with elevated Aß for participants and their study partners, supporting the value of both sources of information in clinical trials.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/prevention & control , Amyloid/metabolism , Cognition/physiology , Healthy Volunteers/statistics & numerical data , Neuropsychological Tests/statistics & numerical data , Self Report , Surveys and Questionnaires , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aniline Compounds , Ethylene Glycols , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Positron-Emission Tomography , Spouses/psychology , Spouses/statistics & numerical data
12.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 8(3): 286-291, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34101785

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) clinical trials require multidisciplinary expertise in medicine, biostatistics, trial design, biomarkers, ethics, and informatics. OBJECTIVES: To provide focused interactive training in ADRD clinical trials to a diverse cadre of investigators. DESIGN: The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement of Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD) is a novel multidisciplinary clinical trial training program funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association with two educational tracks. The Professionals track includes individuals who fill a broad variety of roles including clinicians, study coordinators, psychometricians, and other study professionals who wish to further their knowledge and advance their careers in ADRD trials. The Fellowship track includes current and future principal investigators and focuses on the design, conduct and analysis of ADRD clinical trials. SETTING: The 2020 inaugural iteration of IMPACT-AD was held via Zoom. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five trainees (15 Fellowship track; 20 Professionals track) were selected from 104 applications (34% acceptance rate). Most (n=25, 71%) identified as female. Fifteen (43%) were of a non-white race; six (18%) were of Hispanic ethnicity; eight (23%) indicated they were the first person in their family to attend college. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed daily evaluations as well as pre- and post-course assessments of learning. RESULTS: Across topic areas, >90% of trainees evaluated their change in knowledge based on the lectures as "very much" or "somewhat increased." The mean proportion correct responses in pre- and post-course assessments increased from 55% to 75% for the Professionals track and from 54% to 78% for the Fellowship track. CONCLUSIONS: IMPACT-AD successfully launched a new training opportunity amid a global pandemic that preliminarily achieved the goals of attracting a diverse cohort and providing meaningful training. The course is funded through 2025.


Subject(s)
Clinical Trials as Topic , Ethics, Research , Research Design/standards , Teaching/education , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Cultural Diversity , Fellowships and Scholarships , Female , Humans , Male
13.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 8(1): 52-58, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33336225

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Preclinical Alzheimer's disease clinical trials test candidate treatments in individuals with biomarker evidence but no cognitive impairment. Participants are required to co-enroll with a knowledgeable study partner, to whom biomarker information is disclosed. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether reluctance to share biomarker results is associated with viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to preclinical trial enrollment. DESIGN: We developed a nine-item assessment on views toward the study partner requirement and performed in-person interviews based on a hypothetical clinical trial requiring biomarker testing and disclosure. SETTING: We conducted interviews on campus at the University of California, Irvine. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred cognitively unimpaired older adults recruited from the University of California, Irvine Consent-to-Contact Registry participated in the study. MEASUREMENTS: We used logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders, to examine potential associations with viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to preclinical trial enrollment. RESULTS: Eighteen percent of participants reported strong agreement that the study partner requirement was a barrier to enrollment. Ten participants (5%) agreed at any level that they would be reluctant to share their biomarker result with a study partner. The estimated odds of viewing the study partner requirement as a barrier to enrollment were 26 times higher for these participants (OR=26.3, 95% CI 4.0, 172.3), compared to those who strongly disagreed that they would be reluctant to share their biomarker result. Overall, participants more frequently agreed with positive statements than negative statements about the study partner requirement, including 76% indicating they would want their study partner with them when they learned biomarker results. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the first studies to explore how potential preclinical Alzheimer's disease trial participants feel about sharing their personal biomarker information with a study partner. Most participants viewed the study partner as an asset to trial enrollment, including having a partner present during biomarker disclosure.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/psychology , Disclosure , Patient Selection , Research Subjects/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers , Clinical Trials as Topic , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prodromal Symptoms
14.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis ; 7(4): 219-225, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32920623

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Alzheimer Prevention Trials (APT) Webstudy is the first stage in establishing a Trial-ready Cohort for Preclinical and Prodromal Alzheimer's disease (TRC-PAD). This paper describes recruitment approaches for the APT Webstudy. OBJECTIVES: To remotely enroll a cohort of individuals into a web-based longitudinal observational study. Participants are followed quarterly with brief cognitive and functional assessments, and referred to Sites for in-clinic testing and biomarker confirmation prior to enrolling in the Trial-ready Cohort (TRC). DESIGN: Participants are referred to the APT Webstudy from existing registries of individuals interested in brain health and Alzheimer's disease research, as well as through central and site recruitment efforts. The study team utilizes Urchin Tracking Modules (UTM) codes to better understand the impact of electronic recruitment methods. SETTING: A remotely enrolled online study. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers who are at least 50 years old and interested in Alzheimer's research. MEASUREMENTS: Demographics and recruitment source of participant where measured by UTM. RESULTS: 30,650 participants consented to the APT Webstudy as of April 2020, with 69.7% resulting from referrals from online registries. Emails sent by the registry to participants were the most effective means of recruitment. Participants are distributed across the US, and the demographics of the APT Webstudy reflect the referral registries, with 73.1% female, 85.0% highly educated, and 92.5% Caucasian. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the feasibility of enrolling a remote web-based study utilizing existing registries as a primary referral source. The next priority of the study team is to engage in recruitment initiatives that will improve the diversity of the cohort, towards the goal of clinical trials that better represent the US population.


Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease/prevention & control , Patient Selection , Prodromal Symptoms , Aged , Female , Humans , Internet , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Observational Studies as Topic , Registries
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