Drug Studies

The Suncoast Gerontology Center is  committed to clinical research in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Since 1980 the Center has conducted Phase II and Phase III Clinical Trials under the sponsorship of many pharmaceutical companies and private foundations.

Suncoast is a member of a consortium of Alzheimer's disease researchers known as the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS). Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), these research centers conduct clinical trials of drugs which are in later stages of development.

Drugs have been studied to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease and  to reduce disruptive behaviors in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The ADCS has also studied new instruments used to measure cognition, function, and behavior in Alzheimer's patients. Information learned from this study should improve the quality of testing procedures in future clinical trials. It will also provide researchers with more knowledge of the clinical progression of Alzheimer's disease.

These studies are all for older adults with significant, consistent forgetfulness or Alzheimer’s disease. Subjects must be in relatively good health and have a family member or friend available as a study partner to observe and report changes in the individual’ s functioning. Specific criteria for inclusion differ for each study.

For more information about the drug studies currently in progress at the Center, please call  Barbara Luhn or Nicole Ventura, Clinical Research Coordinators at (813) 974-4355 or  toll free in Florida at 1-800-633-4563.

For general information about drug studies click here  Frequently Asked Questions