If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia with Lewy body, participating in clinical research may be easier than you think. Three new clinical trials in San Antonio are actively recruiting participants and can be completed largely from home, with minimal travel required and financial compensation offered .

Clinical trials are essential tools that help researchers understand disease causes, identify risk factors, and develop treatments that can slow or manage conditions like Alzheimer's disease for current and future generations. However, these studies only benefit everyone when they include participants from diverse backgrounds and communities that reflect the broader population. Unfortunately, too few people from under-researched populations participate in clinical trials due to myths, lack of transportation access, and time constraints .

What Are the Three Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Available Now?

Researchers at The Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at UT Health San Antonio are offering three distinct studies designed to accommodate busy schedules and limited mobility .

• Genetic Risk Study: A national study seeking multiple family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, related dementias, or mild cognitive impairment to help researchers understand genetic risk factors. Participants complete 3 to 4-hour study visits every 1 to 2 years for 3 years, including exams, cognitive testing, and blood or saliva samples. All visits can be conducted remotely and are free. Participants receive a $40 stipend for each visit .
• Brain Stimulation and Mental Health Study: A 5-week trial testing portable, noninvasive brain stimulation devices that can be used at home. These devices emit low-level electrical currents to targeted brain areas to improve mood and cognitive function. Participants complete 30-minute video visits to assess device effectiveness. Eligible participants must be 60 or older, have an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, speak and read English, have reliable internet, and experience mental health symptoms like depression, anxiety, irritability, or lack of motivation associated with the disease .
• Smart Device Monitoring Study: A year-long trial using wearable sensors and smart devices to track daily activities of individuals with early or prodromal dementia with Lewy body or mild cognitive impairment who have been diagnosed with REM sleep behavior disorder. Participants complete two clinic visits, weekly online health surveys, memory activities, and wear a wristband that works with home sensors. Participants can earn up to $25 per month and must be at least 50 years old, have internet access, and have someone to help them participate .

How to Enroll in an Alzheimer's Clinical Trial

Getting started with clinical trial participation is straightforward. Here are the steps to join one of these studies:

• Contact the Genetic Risk Study: Reach out to program manager Ashley LaRoche via email at larochea@uthscsa.edu or by phone at 210-450-7249 to learn more or enroll in the genetic research study .
• Contact the Brain Stimulation Study: Email study assistant Layla Garcia at GarciaL37@uthscsa.edu or call 210-450-8029 to inquire about the neuromodulation device trial for mental health symptoms .
• Contact the Smart Device Study: Reach out to Layla Garcia using the same contact information (GarciaL37@uthscsa.edu or 210-450-8029) to discuss participation in the wearable sensor monitoring trial .
• Search Nationally: Visit clinicaltrials.gov to find Alzheimer's and dementia trials in your area if you're not in San Antonio .
• Check Local Resources: In San Antonio, visit the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio's Find a Clinical Trial database for additional opportunities .

Why Does Clinical Trial Participation Matter for Your Family?

Volunteering in clinical trials extends far beyond helping yourself. The research conducted today directly shapes the treatments available tomorrow for your family members and future generations. When diverse populations participate in clinical research, scientists gain a more complete understanding of how diseases affect different communities and can develop more effective, equitable treatments .

"Volunteers in clinical trials are not only helping themselves, but they're also building a future with better treatments that can help their families in the future," said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

Dr. Amelie Ramirez, Director of Salud America and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias continue to significantly impact communities across South Texas, where many Latino families live. Multiple societal and background factors contribute to gaps in dementia care and treatment access. To address these disparities, UT San Antonio launched the San Antonio Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Population Aging and Social Studies (CAPAS), funded by the National Institute on Aging. This initiative brings together experts in demography, sociology, epidemiology, neuropsychology, and public health to study Alzheimer's disease from every angle, from molecular biomarkers to family and community impacts .

If you're interested in learning more about Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or how researchers are improving health outcomes for aging adults, visit the CAPAS center website. Additional resources in both English and Spanish are available through the Alzheimer's Association website .