Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Generalized Psychophysiological Interaction (PPI) Analysis of Memory Related Connectivity in Individuals at Genetic Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: November 14, 2017
Primary prevention trials in Alzheimer disease
Robert C Green1, Steven T DeKosky
1Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. rcgreen@bu.edu
Designing primary prevention trials for Alzheimer disease (AD) presents significant challenges. Secondary prevention trials offer a more feasible initial approach for evaluating new AD treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Trials
- Alzheimer Disease Research
Background:
- Emerging Alzheimer disease (AD) treatments aim for disease modification, not just symptom management.
- Evaluating these novel therapies necessitates robust clinical trial designs, including primary and secondary prevention studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the methodological challenges inherent in designing primary prevention trials for Alzheimer disease.
- To illustrate these challenges using examples from the Alzheimer Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) and Ginkgo in Evaluation of Memory (GEM) studies.
Main Methods:
- Review of design considerations for primary prevention trials in Alzheimer disease.
- Case study analysis of the ADAPT and GEM studies to highlight practical challenges.
Main Results:
- Primary prevention trials for AD face numerous complex design hurdles.
- These challenges underscore the difficulties in establishing effective preventative strategies.
Conclusions:
- Designing primary prevention trials for Alzheimer disease is methodologically demanding.
- Secondary prevention trials represent a more practical initial step towards achieving primary prevention goals for AD.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Clinical Trials
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
Clinical Trials: Overview
