Popular links:
About us
About you
Get involved
Employment
Questions?
Contact us
| |
The Curran Ageing Research Unit was established within the
Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service in 2001. This fact sheet gives you information on the current research projects
that we are undertaking. You might also like to read our fact sheet “Why join a study?” or read more about the
Curran Ageing Research Unit.
Dimebon (as seen on Channel 7’s Today Tonight)
This research study will be evaluating the medication Dimebon to find out whether or not it can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with mild to
moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 1050 patients around the world will be participating in the study. Participation is expected to last up to 52 weeks with
10 clinic visits.
Recruitment now open. Qualified study participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 50 years old
- Meet the criteria for probable mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease
- Have been stable dose of Aricept 10mg for 4 months or longer
- Are not taking Ebixa
- Have a reliable caregiver or study partner in contact at least 10 hours per week
- Is generally healthy
WN22018- Roche study
This research study will be evaluating an experiential medication to find out whether or not it can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in adults with mild to
moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 420 patients around the world will be participating in the study. Participation is expected to last up to 30 weeks with
11 clinic visits.
Recruitment now open. Qualified study participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 50 years old
- Meet the criteria for probable mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease
- Have been stable dose of Aricept for 4 months or longer
- Are not taking Ebixa
- Have a reliable caregiver or study partner in contact at least 10 hours per week
- Is generally healthy
Bapineuzumab
This research study is evaluating the effectiveness of a new medication Bapineuzumab in the treatment of mild to moderate
Alzheimer’s disease. The study drug is an antibody that is not commonly found in the blood. It is hoped the study drug will
slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Participation is expected to last up to 2 years with 20 clinic visits.
Recruitment now open. General study requirements: Qualified study participants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 55 years old
- Meet the criteria for probable mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease
- Have a reliable caregiver or study partner in contact with the patient at least 10 hours per week
- Is generally healthy
Transition Care– Innovation and Evidence (Frailty Study)
This project aims to identify older people who are seen by the aged care service of a metropolitan hospital and who are frail and
therefore at risk of hospitalisation.
The intervention will involve nursing, medical, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology input and the primary outcome
sought is a reduction in the rate of functional decline. Recruitment now open.
Individual Nutrition Therapy and Exercise Regime (INTERACTIVE)
This study is a randomised trial of a 6 month individualised exercise and nutrition program commencing within 7-10 days of surgery
for a hip fracture. Community dwelling older people are eligible and there will be 6 and 12 month follow up. Recruitment now open.
Update on previous studies
Results are available on the following studies:
- PBT-2 study
HKH participated in this study for treatment Alzheimer Disease with with PBT-2, which had a positive outcome. It was sponsored by the Australian Biotech company, Prana.
The study results can be viewed in the article “Safety, efficacy, and biomarker findings of PBT2 in targeting Aß as a modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease: a phase IIa, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial” by
Lars Lannfelt et al, in: Lancet Neurology, 7(9), September 2008, pages 779-786.
A summary of results can also be viewed on the PRANA website media releases section at
http://www.pranabio.com/default.asp?contentID=629
The following studies are no longer recruiting:
- Identity Study
This research study is evaluating a new investigational medication to find out whether or not it can slow the progression of
Alzheimer’s disease in adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 1,500 patients around the world will be
participating in the study. Participation is expected to last up to 2 years with 20 clinic visits. Recruitment now closed.
- Exelon Patch Study
This study is an evaluation of compliance and tolerability of the Once-daily 10 cm² Exelon® Patch formulation in patients with
Probable Alzheimer’s Disease. It is a 24 week study with 5 visits, all participants receive the study drug there is no placebo in this
study. Patients initiating Alzheimer’s therapy for the first time or who failed to benefit from previous treatment are eligible to
participate.Recruitment now closed.
- REFLECT
This 12 month study reviewed the safety and effectiveness of the diabetic medication AVANDA when used in patients with Alzheimer’s
disease currently taking Aricept, Reminyl, or Exelon. Recruitment is now closed. Results are due at the end of 2009. Patients from this study have gone on to the 12 month
open label extension study, REFLECT !V.
- PRIME
The study collects and monitors patients with memory problems for 3 years, no new treatment is used. The information is collected from
carers and patients with any type of memory problem. Recruitment is closed and patients will be followed up for the next 2 years.
- Forest Research study
This 12 week study examined the effectiveness of Memantine in improving the functional communication skills of people with Alzheimer’s
disease who were also taking Aricept, Reminyl, or Exelon. Recruitment is closed at HKH and the multicentre results report is expected by end of May 2009.
- Hip Protector Studies
This study used hip protectors to reduce hip fracture after a fall. People living in low care Residential Aged Care Facilities and
people living in the community were invited to participate. The research has been completed and is in final data analysis.
More details for the Curran Ageing Research Unit,
Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service of Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Health Service are available on this website. We also have another fact sheet: “Why join a study?”
Printable version 
|
Related links:
|
