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Saint Louis University

University researchers need volunteers for clinical studies related to depression and Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease affects 4 million people in the United States with a yearly cost of $90 billion. New treatments are being developed to slow the progress of the disease and offer an extended quality of life to people with the disease.

Depression, a brain disorder that affects more than 17 million adult Americans each year, costs the nation up to $44 billion in treatment, disability and lost productivity.

Researchers believe that there may be a link between depression and the development of Alzheimer's disease. If so, the possibility exists that early detection and treatment of depression may delay the onset of Alzheimer's.

The Saint Louis University division of geriatric psychiatry is on the forefront of research in these areas that increasingly will affect the aging American population.

Researchers need volunteers for the following:

• The department of psychiatry needs volunteers to take part in the study of a promising investigational medicine for people who have mild-to-moderate probable Alzheimer's disease. In addition to out-patient visits, participants will be hospitalized four times during the study to assess dose increases. People with stable medical conditions are allowed to participate in the study. For more information, call George T. Grossberg, M.D., principal investigator, or Sheri Paulus, study coordinator, at 268-5385, or send an e-mail message to haylk@wpogate.slu.edu.

• Researchers are beginning a new study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a medication to help with the behavioral problems associated with Alzheimer's disease. Participants will receive treatment with a medicine that may help with thinking and memory. In addition, patients have a 50 percent chance of receiving a medication that may help with behavioral disturbances. People must be 50 years of age or older and have a diagnosis of possible Alzheimer's with behavioral disturbances. They may not be hospitalized or in a nursing home; may not require electroconvulsive therapy or psychiatric medications; and may not have medical conditions that might interfere with the study. All patients must have a reliable caregiver who can assist with evaluations throughout the study and ensure that the patient takes the study medication. For more information, call Donald Hay, M.D., principal investigator, or Cindy Nicholson, study coordinator, at 577-8741; fax at 268-5559; or send an e-mail message to nicholci@wpogate.slu.edu.

• Researchers need volunteers to take part in a study evaluating a medication used in the treatment of depression in older people. Volunteers should be people more than 60 years of age who generally are in good health and have been or have the potential to be diagnosed with depression. Participants will receive, at no charge, office visits, physical examinations, laboratory tests and ECGs and study medication. For more information about participating in the study, please call George T. Grossberg, M.D., principal investigator, or Luci Short, study coordinator, at 268-5385.