Approximately one million people in the UK are living with dementia, the most common type being Alzheimer’s disease1. MAC will be conducting a healthy volunteer clinical trial for a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s, and we need your help.
Clinical trials are the backbone of medical advancement. Without clinical research, there would be no new or improved medications. Trials are conducted to test new treatments, refine existing ones, and explore innovative approaches to prevention and care. Volunteers for clinical trials are integral to the development of these new medicines.
Healthy volunteer clinical trials, often referred to as ‘Phase Ia’ trials, are for people without any health conditions, and investigate how safe a study medication is and how it is processed by the human body.
The Role of Healthy Volunteers in Clinical Research
Whereas clinical trial participants who are living with conditions may receive some relief from their symptoms by taking part in a clinical trial, many healthy volunteers participate in clinical trials not for personal benefit but to aid in the advancement of medical knowledge.
The participation of healthy volunteers in clinical research is vital for several reasons:
- Safety and Tolerability – Before any trial drug or treatment is administered to patients, it must be thoroughly tested for safety. Healthy volunteers help minimise the risk that these treatments will cause adverse reactions, making the process safer for subsequent patient groups.
- Baseline Data – Healthy volunteers provide baseline data that is essential for comparative analysis. This data helps researchers distinguish between standard biological responses and those altered by disease or treatment.
- Advancing Medical Knowledge – Every clinical trial involving healthy volunteers contributes to a greater understanding of human physiology and the mechanisms of diseases. This foundational knowledge is critical for developing new and more effective therapies; in many ways, you can say that it is the volunteers who progress medicine, not the researchers.
- Streamlining Processes – The involvement of healthy volunteers can accelerate the clinical trial process. With reliable data from these volunteers, researchers can quickly move forward to the next phases of testing, potentially bringing new treatments to market faster.
Why Get Involved?
By taking part in a MAC clinical trial, you can take an enormous sense of pride in the knowledge that you are helping identify treatments that may benefit future generations. And by taking part in our upcoming healthy volunteer clinical trial, you could be helping the advancement of treatment for Alzheimer’s, which currently has no cure.
Depending on the trial, you will often receive payment for your time and commitment. Whether the trial offers payment or not, taking part in a trial is always free, and we will either provide transport to clinic visits or reimburse your travel costs.
MAC will provide you with a comprehensive health-check if you take part in a trial; before your participation, you will undergo a thorough medical screening with our medical team.
Participating in a Clinical Trial for Alzheimer’s Research
64% of people would consider taking part in dementia clinical research, but only 1% actually do1. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s and available medicines are limited – more treatments are needed urgently.
Taking part in a clinical trial for Alzheimer’s treatment could be a great benefit to countless individuals living with the condition around the world.
If you are interested in taking part in a healthy volunteer clinical trial and helping to advance healthcare, you can register your interest for any future MAC clinical trials via our website.
If eligible, you may receive financial reimbursement for your time and commitment. You will also receive travel expenses and a full health check-up from our specialist team.
- Alzheimer’s Society – Local Dementia Statistics
- Alzheimer’s Research UK – Dementia Statistics Hub
