Trial Information

Summary: Cholesterol lowering agents to slow progression of Alzheimer's disease (CLASP study)

CLASP is a research study to investigate the safety and effectiveness of simvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug or statin) to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Statins are commonly used to treat high cholesterol levels, which increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Study volunteers will be asked to:

• Be evaluated to determine if their cholesterol is in the normal range and if they are eligible for our study.
• Take a prescribed dose of the study drug daily for 18 months (volunteers will receive all study medications free of charge).
• Go to the study clinic for screening, monitoring, and testing a total of 8 times over the course of the 21-month study.

Study partners will be asked to come with volunteers on all clinic visits, and answer questions about the volunteer’s health status.

This is a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Half of the participants will be assigned at random to receive the experimental drug, the other half will receive the placebo (inactive pill).

By participating in CLASP, volunteers will:

• Get a free cholesterol screening and be referred for treatment if needed.
• Contribute to our understanding of a drug that may be a new treatment for AD.
• Get regular assessment by physicians and qualified health care professionals who specialize in Alzheimer’s disease.

We are looking for volunteers who:

• have mild to moderate AD
• are age 50 or older
• speak English or Spanish
• do not currently take or need cholesterol lowering drugs
• have a study partner - a friend or relative who can accompany the volunteer to all clinic visits, answer questions about him/her, and monitor medication compliance.

If you would like to learn more about participating in this study, please send an e-mail message using the form below.