(Los Angeles, CA, Friday, November 19, 2021) – Research released this week shows a new blood test can help identify people with increased likelihood of having brain amyloid (pronounced am-uh-loid), a protein that’s a risk factor for developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. For the first time, the blood test will be used in a clinical trial aiming to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s called the AHEAD Study and is enrolling people 55 to 80 years old.

The study will enroll more than 1100 people from 75 U.S. and Canadian communities.

Godfrey Coker with the University of Southern California’s Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, explains the importance of this new blood test.

SOUNDBITE #1:

THIS NEW RESEARCH SHOWS BLOOD TESTS CAN IDENTIFY SPECIFIC BRAIN AMYLOID PROTEINS AND HELP IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER’S SYMPTOMS. THIS COULD GREATLY SPEED ENROLLMENT IN CLINICAL TRIALS LIKE THE AHEAD STUDY AND LEAD TO IMPORTANT TREATMENTS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

THE STUDY IS ENROLLING PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIFTY-FIVE AND EIGHTY TO TEST WHETHER REMOVING AMYLOID PLAQUES IN THE BRAIN CAN DELAY OR PREVENT ALZHEIMER’S SYMPTOMS. WE ANCIPATE THAT THE SIMPLICTY OF A BLOOD TEST WILL INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN CLINICAL TRIALS, ESPECIALLY AMONG COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WHICH ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED IN ALZHEIMER’S TRIALS.

To learn more, visit AHEADSTUDY.ORG or call 1-800-AHEAD-70, to find a study location near you.