Byrd Institute Information

The Byrd Institute Clinical Research Program has been involved with many clinical research studies since its development in 2004. Sponsors of these trials include various international pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies. Our trials are also sponsored by the National Institutes of Aging and the Alzheimer's Disease Research Cooperative (ADCS), which is an exclusive, nationally recognized, Alzheimer's research group. We are participating in 4 Federally funded trials and continue to expand in that arena. Recently, our site has been selected to participate in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) trials with the ADCS. Our primary research focus is with Alzheimer's disease treatment and prevention, as well as Mild Cognitively Impaired diagnosis and treatment, and identification of at risk population. The treatments studied in our trials have reached at least the Phase II of drug development, and some are in late Phase III, close to FDA application for approval. Many of the compounds under investigation in clinical trials target the processes involved in neurodegeneration which are much earlier in the neurodegenerative cascade than the acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors currently on the market. Some of the treatments under study are already marketed medication that information is needed on its safety and tolerability in the Alzheimer's population, perhaps to determine the best dose for this type of patient. Most of our clinical trials involving investigational drugs are for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease patients. Many of the studies are placebo controlled but allow participants to remain on their current Alzheimer's medications. Clinical trial procedures are performed at no cost to the participant, and participation is voluntary. We also participate in Bio-repository studies, which allow participants to anonymously donate specimens and study information to researchers to help with Alzheimer's research around the world. These studies do not involve a large time commitment but the study participant can make a contribution to the research, which that is what most people want to do. Our site has clinically and technically trained staff to perform a variety of services to study sponsors. This makes our site particularly attractive to a wide range of clinical trials. We continue to grow, to help make further developments toward a cure for Alzheimer's Disease.