Clinical Trials

A worldwide quest is under way to find treatments to stop, slow or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the most promising research is happening right here in San Diego. Many of the new drugs in development aim to modify the disease process by impacting the many brain changes that Alzheimer’s causes. Current trials in San Diego County range from drug research to studying the impact of sleep on cognitive decline and caregiver stress.

People with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and healthy volunteers are needed today to participate in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. When you join a clinical trial, you have an opportunity to participate in critical research that could change the course of Alzheimer’s disease and improve the lives of all those it affects. By signing up to learn more, Alzheimer’s San Diego will send you the latest information about local studies that could be a good fit for you.

We need your help. Without participation, finding a cure is virtually impossible.

Current Research in San Diego

Thank you to our valued clinical trials partners, featured below. Their support helps keep our services free to the community.

Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (Keck School of Medicine of USC)

Dedicated to helping the nation and the world confront the problem of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) by rigorously testing novel treatments and identifying reliable markers for early detection of the disease.

  • An online cognitive assessment research study aimed at accelerating the enrollment time for clinical trials designed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The purpose of the webstudy is to develop a large online group of individuals who may be at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s dementia, and who may be interested in participating in a prevention trial.

For more information and additional trials, call 858-964-4644 or visit atri.usc.edu/studies/.

Sharp Neurocognitive Research Center

  • CVL-871-2001 study: This study is for people ages 50 to 85 who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia. Participants will take either an investigational drug (CVL-871) or a placebo once a day for 12 weeks. The study will assess the safety and tolerability of CVL-871 for people with dementia-related apathy and examine the drug’s efficacy in treating apathy for people with dementia.
  • UCB0107 study: This study is for people ages 50 to 80 who have been diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s or display early signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s. Participants will receive infusions of an investigational drug (UCB0107) or a placebo for nearly 19 months. The study is intended to address TAU (a type of protein) pathology in the brain. The study will assess the safety and tolerability of UCB0107 for people with mild Alzheimer’s or people displaying signs of MCI due to Alzheimer’s. The study will also determine the drug’s efficacy as a possible treatment for people with Alzheimer’s.
  • EVOKE study: This study is for people ages 55 to 85 who have been diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease. Participants will take semaglutide (a medication that is currently approved to treat diabetes) or a placebo for about 3 years and 4 months. The study will determine whether semaglutide can improve symptoms of early Alzheimer’s.

To learn more, click here.

Please note: Insurance is not required for study participation. Participants and study partners are compensated for time and travel, and transportation can be provided for each study visit. For more information call 858-836-8350 or visit www.sharp.com/clinicaltrials.

Advanced Brain Monitoring

Advanced Brain Monitoring is looking for patients diagnosed with: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Lewy Body Dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment 40-95 years old to participate in a computer-based study.

Study participants will complete a series of computer-based memory and attention tasks. During this time, they will be recording brain activity using a cap with soft sensors. They are looking for patients with a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or Lewy Body Dementia, or Mild Cognitive Impairment who feel comfortable sitting at a computer for 1-2 hours. The aim of the study is to help develop biomarkers that may be used by pharmaceutical companies in clinical trials to monitor the effectiveness of experimental drugs on neurodegenerative disease.

The study visit(s) will last approximately 2-4 hours at their office in Carlsbad. Additionally, there will be a 2-night in-home sleep study. Participants will be compensated at a rate of $20 per hour upon study completion for every hour spent at the Advanced Brain Monitoring research facility as part of their participation in the study, and an additional $25 for completing the in-home sleep study.

To schedule a visit or request more information call: (760) 720-0099 ext. 6011 / Download flyer

Pacific Research Network

Explore upcoming clinical trials enrolling now for adults experiencing memory loss. Are you experiencing things such as memory loss, forgetfulness, or misplacing things? It could be the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. Participation in upcoming clinical trials has allowed medical breakthroughs for adults experiencing these symptoms. Explore upcoming clinical trials in the San Diego area that may help! Those that qualify must: Be generally healthy and be experiencing memory loss/memory loss symptoms. Additional participation criteria may apply, and those who qualify may receive compensation for study-related time and reimbursement for travel.

More information on this clinical trial here >

Additional research opportunities in San Diego County:

  • Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center – The Shiley-Marcos ADRC has a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers to participate in important research studies designed to discover ways to prevent, treat, and ultimately eradicate Alzheimer’s disease as well as other related neurological diseases. Call the ADRC 858-822-4800 and ask for Tracey Truscott, LCSW for more information or email ttruscott@ucsd.edu.
  • UC San Diego AAV2-BDNF Gene Therapy Clinical Trial (Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment) – Doctors at UC San Diego are seeking patients with early stage Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment to participate in a research study of gene therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine whether gene therapy with a brain protein is safe. In animal studies, this brain protein slows cell death and activates the brain. This experimental gene therapy program involves a one-time surgical procedure. Individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) who are between the ages of 50–80 and are otherwise healthy may be eligible. There are no costs for study participation. If you are interested in finding out whether you are eligible to participate, please contact Ms. Lori Graham at UCSD, at 858-534-8857 or by email: ljgraham@health.ucsd.edu.
  • UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging Clinical Trials Be a part of science and become involved with the various studies taking place here at the UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging and Stein Institute for Research on Aging. Visit the website to see specific opportunities and contact information.
  • UC San Diego Health Clinical Trials – SALUD-Tech Study: This study is for Hispanic/Latinos of all genders ages 50 to 70. The study aims to learn whether information collected from smartphones and smartwatches can help detect risk for developing a disease of the brain later in life, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Participants receive compensation, as well as the results of memory testing and routine blood tests at no cost. Visits can be completed in our offices in Chula Vista or La Jolla (transportation can be provided), or we can go to you. If interested in learning more, please call 619-373-4735 or email us at salud-techucsd@health.ucsd.edu. Both English and Spanish-speakers are welcome.
  • UC San Diego Health Clinical Trials (Alzheimer’s)
  • UC San Diego Health Clinical Trials (FTD & other dementias)
  • UC San Diego Health Clinical Trials (Sleep & Alzheimer’s) Researchers at the University of California are testing an education program that teaches simple strategies to help care partners and people with memory problems sleep better. This is not a medication study. You will not be asked to stop or begin taking any new medication. If you are interested in participating, please email SleepResearch@sonnet.ucla.edu or call (310)-351-2349.
  • The Neurology Center of Southern CaliforniaThe Research Center is currently enrolling in studies for Alzheimer’s disease. Please contact Estela at 619-432-0867.

Find additional research opportunities in the United States: