What is it and what does it include?
This study used several different tests to measure the effect of Semagacestat on both β-amyloid and amyloid plaques for some patients. The buildup of amyloid plaques was measured by a brain scan that takes a picture of amyloid plaques in the brain. Other tests measured the overall function of the brain and brain size in some patients. In this trial, patients who initially received placebo were, at a certain point in the study, switched over to active drug, Semagacestat. In other words, all patients could eventually receive active drug. Each patient's participation could last approximately 2 years. Patients taking approved AD medications were permitted to participate in this study and continue taking these medications during the study.
How can I use this dataset to advance my research?
This dataset is ideal if:
- you’re studying the effect of semagacestat on both β-amyloid and amyloid plaques in individuals who meet criteria for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- you’re interested in studying changes in brain volume over time in patients with mild to moderate AD who are taking semagacestat and placebo.
Has this dataset helped researchers understand Alzheimer’s and other dementias better?
Of course!
- AD & Geographical region:
In 2015, researchers found geographical regions to be heterogeneous at baseline as it related to AD progression. At baseline, disease severity as measured by ADAS-cog11, ADCS-ADL, and CDR-SB was numerically worse for Eastern Europe/Russia compared with other regions. Of all regional populations, Eastern Europe/Russia showed the greatest cognitive and functional decline from baseline; Japan, Asia and/or S. America/Mexico showed the least cognitive and functional decline. Trial sponsors will need to continue to implement multinational studies due to required study sizes, enrollment rates, and regulatory requirements; these data will be helpful in study planning. June 2015 – DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-015-0127-0
- AD & Clinical trials, Cognitive and Functional impairment:
In 2015, analyses from three databases (included this one) indicated cognitive decline precedes and predicts subsequent functional decline in mild AD dementia, consistent with previously proposed hypotheses, and corroborate recent publications using similar methodologies. Cognitive impairment may be used as a predictor of future functional impairment in mild AD dementia and can be considered a critical target for prevention strategi