Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older. While the recently approved anti-amyloid antibodies represent a milestone, researchers continue to explore tau-targeting therapies, neuroinflammation modulators, and prevention strategies for people at genetic risk. Early enrollment in clinical trials — even at the mild cognitive impairment stage — may offer access to treatments years before they become widely available.
Find Alzheimer's Trials Near You
Search actively recruiting Alzheimer's and dementia studies — filter by stage, location, and phase. Updated daily from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Search Alzheimer's Trials →Note for caregivers: Many Alzheimer's trials enroll both the person with dementia and a study partner (often a family member or caregiver). If you are searching on behalf of a loved one, TrialFinder can still help — search as usual and look for studies that explicitly include a study partner requirement in the eligibility criteria.
What to Expect as a Participant
- Eligibility often requires cognitive testing (e.g., MMSE or MoCA), brain imaging (MRI or PET scan), and sometimes biomarker testing (amyloid PET or CSF) — the study team will guide you through pre-screening.
- Visits typically occur at an academic medical center or memory clinic and may include infusions, cognitive assessments, and blood draws every few weeks.
- Study treatments, brain scans, and lab work related to the trial are provided at no cost; some trials reimburse travel expenses.
- A legally authorized representative can provide consent if the participant lacks the capacity to do so — the trial team will explain the consent process at your first visit.
Common Questions
Can someone with early-stage Alzheimer's join a clinical trial?
Yes — many trials specifically target early or mild Alzheimer's disease, or even preclinical stages (before symptoms appear). Prevention trials may enroll cognitively normal adults who have risk factors such as APOE ε4 status or family history.
What types of Alzheimer's treatments are being studied?
Active research areas include anti-amyloid antibodies, tau aggregation inhibitors, neuroinflammation modulators, neuroprotective small molecules, and non-drug interventions such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and lifestyle programs.
Will I receive a placebo?
In Phase 3 trials, there is often a placebo group. However, many trials use an "open-label extension" where all participants eventually receive the active treatment. Ask the study team about the trial design and your chances of receiving the experimental therapy.
How long do Alzheimer's trials typically last?
Disease-modifying trials often run 18 months to 3 years given the slow progression of the disease. Symptomatic trials may be shorter (12–18 months). The study team will provide a full visit schedule before you consent.