The Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute has pioneered the concept of a mobile Memory Research Unit to bring clinical drug trials in Alzheimer’s disease to senior communities throughout Florida. The 400-square-foot research space is fully equipped to do most parts of a study visit, allowing us to bring trials to our subjects in their own communities rather than requiring them come to our clinic. Currently, the mobile unit is conducting visits in Lakeland and Sun City Center.

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The mobile Memory Research Suite is a customized medical clinic on wheels that is equipped for evaluating the effectiveness of potential new treatments and monitoring the safety of clinical trial participants. Because many potential study volunteers may lack transportation to take part in the latest research, the institute is taking the drug trials to individuals where they live.

The mobile suite is the USF Health Byrd Institute's latest innovation to find new ways to conduct clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and increase enrollment in clinical research.

Compact, Yet Comprehensive

The 53-foot-long research facility is staffed by clinical experts, trained in patient privacy and safety, who oversee the activities and visits in each clinical trial, including a memory screener who conducts cognitive assessments, and a staff member who completes study interviews with a family member or caregiver.

The Memory Research Suite features a reception area, patient exam room, two testing rooms, an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant restroom, and a phlebotomy area for blood draws, as well as central air conditioning and wireless Internet access.

A. Reception Area
Visitors are welcomed and basic, non-medical information is gathered in the reception area.

B. Exam Room
A doctor or nurse practitioner conducts a medical assessment of each prospective clinical trial participant in the exam room.

C. Testing Rooms
Two testing rooms enable the staff to assess the cognitive abilities of prospective participants.

D. Restroom
The mobile suite's restroom meets all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

E. Laboratory
Staff conducts blood draws in the multi-purpose laboratory that has a refrigerated centrifuge and a deep freezer (-20 degrees Celsius) to store samples.

F. Easy Access
Stairs and a wheelchair lift enable easy access for all participants.

Increasing Access to Vital, Cutting-Edge Research

The Memory Research Suite will visit pre-selected study sites in cities such as The Villages, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, with plans to travel to Sun City Center, Bradenton, Clearwater and Lakeland, to encourage seniors aged 60 and older with cognitive impairment to take part in various prevention clinical drug trials.

Become Part of the Solution

To learn more about how the clinical research services at the Byrd Institute, including the mobile Memory Research Suite, can help you or a loved one become part of the solution, call (813) 396-0611 or email MemoryResearchSuite@health.usf.edu.

Please Join Our Cause

To inquire about corporate or philanthropic sponsorships of the mobile Memory Research Suite or other ways to support Alzheimer's research and patient services, please call (813) 396-0731 or email danielminor@health.usf.edu.