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Volunteers sought for Alzheimer's disease study

Mayo Clinic researchers are seeking healthy adults 75 years and older with no personal history of memory problems to participate in a clinical trial evaluating a blood test for Alzheimer's disease. Volunteers will have their blood drawn annually during the study period and will undergo an annual battery of memory and other cognitive function tests. The blood test measures the ratio of two forms of a protein that make up the senile plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The test may someday be used to predict who is at risk of developing the disease, much like a cholesterol test can predict risk of heart disease. In the trial's initial phase, conducted in a smaller group of people, researchers found the blood test does predict some of the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. They hope to corroborate their findings in a larger group of people. Those interested in participating may call (904) 953-2677 for more information.