Alzheimer’s Studies and Trials

The purpose of the SNIFF study is to find out whether a type of insulin, when administered as a nasal spray, improves memory in adults with a mild memory impairment or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study enrolled 250 adults, age 55-85 who were diagnosed with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or early AD. There were 26 clinical sites involved. Scientists have learned that MCI has several subtypes. In the most common subtype with high probability of progression to Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss is the most prominent feature (other types of MCI feature other types of cognitive problems).

The Connect study tested whether an oral, experimental drug, AZD0530 (saracatinib), would slow progression in early stage Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In its early stage after the medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, patients typically show some memory loss, but a majority of daily functions are intact, requiring some reminders or help organizing the day from others in the household. The University of Southern California, Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute served as the coordinating center, helping to enroll 159 participants at 23 clinical sites across the United States.