Athira Pharma has a drug trial right now for patients that potentially could treat people with any type of degenerative brain disease. It is being tested now with people who have Alzheimer's disease in mid stages and also with people who have Lewy body disease and Parkinson's disease. The medication speeds up thinking and processing and a long-term effect of increasing connections between brain cells. 

Suzanne Newman talks with Dr. Michael Mega, Director of the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland, Oregon. The center helps patients maximize their cognitive function as they cope with Alzheimer's disease and disorders of thinking.

To participate in a trial like this, they need to have a study partner, somebody who is with them for at least 10 hours a week to observe how they function throughout the day. A close friend, adult child or spouse. Also they must be stable on their medications. Their study partner has noted thinking or memory changes in them suggesting the possibility that they may not be able to live safely on their own. The trial is blinded, so there is a 33% chance that during the six-month trial the would get a placebo, or a low-dose version, or a high-dose version of the medication. After the six-month trial, they can continue and be guaranteed to get the hi-dose version of the medicine.

Learn more at the Center for Cognitive Health. Visit shapetrial.com to learn about a trial for Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Visit lift-adtrial.com to learn about the LIFT-AD Alzheimer's Disease trial. You can also learn about trials taking place at the Center for Cognitive Health in Portland. Brought to you courtesy of Athira Pharma.

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