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If you or someone you know are interested in participating in clinical trials please feel free to visit our affiliate website Headlands Research EMA
An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease helps families to plan for the future and make legal and financial arrangement while allowing the person with Alzheimer’s to take part in the decision-making process. Early diagnosis can also allow for the person to begin medications that can help slow the disease progress. Importantly, early diagnosis can allow the person to take part in clinical research trials that could change the future of the disease.
Clinical research includes studies (observing and gathering data from large groups of people) and trials (testing a medicine, therapy, or intervention in a group of people). Clinical trials are important as they allow researchers and doctors to determine if a medication or treatment is successful in slowing or preventing the disease progression. Our clinic has many opportunities for clinical research, click here to see our current trials.
Beta-amyloid is a sticky protein that gradually builds up, forming plaques within the brain of those with Alzheimer’s disease. The plaques accumulate between nerve cells in the brain, blocking their communication.
Tau is a protein that, under normal conditions, allows vital cell transport to occur within the brain. In Alzheimer’s Disease, tau collapses into twisted strands which stops the cell from obtaining essential supplies and nutrients. Cells with these tau tangles eventually die.
An MRI is a test that uses a large magnetic field and radio wave energy to recreate images of structures within the body. In Alzheimer’s research, MRIs are often used to image the brain as a whole, as well as specific structures within the brain. MRI images can tell doctors if brain tissue volume is shrinking, whether large or small strokes have occurred, and whether specific brain areas are displaying abnormalities.
A lumbar puncture is a procedure in which a doctor places a small needle between the vertebra in the back and into the spinal canal. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), the liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, is collected and analyzed for a variety of components. In Alzheimer’s research, the CSF is often analyzed for beta-amyloid and tau proteins, as well as levels of investigational medications (if the person is enrolled in a research trial).
Cognitive testing refers a variety of assessments designed to measure a persons memory and thinking abilities. In Alzheimer’s research, cognitive testing often entails surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and sessions with a trained cognitive rater or doctor.
All the procedures done for a research trial are done independent of your insurance or primary care doctor. The only people that will know you are in a trial are the people at the clinic who are involved in the trial and the people that you decide to tell. We work hard to make sure your information is kept confidential.
No, there are strict criteria that must be met to enroll in a research trial. Our clinic staff will determine which studies they believe you may be a good candidate for and, after signing consent, you will enter into a screening period. If you meet all criteria during the screening period, you will be enrolled in the trial. If you do not meet the necessary criteria for a study, there may be others that you will qualify for. You can only be enrolled in one clinical trial at a time.
A placebo is an inactive substance designed to look like a medication. Drug trials are often ‘placebo-controlled’ meaning that some of the participants in the trial are not receiving the drug being tested, but are instead receiving a substance made only to look like the medication. Often a placebo is called a sugar pill because it does not contain any active medicines. Placebo groups serve as control groups in research. Results are compared between the placebo group and the active medication group to determine if the medicine is having an effect.
Jody Hiltz has been Clinical Administrative Assistant for Dr. Marks since 2017. She received her Associate of Science Degree from Quincy College. Your can find her smiling face greeting you when you enter our office.
Liz has been working for the practice for over 3 years. Prior to that she worked in skilled nursing facilities as a Life Enrichment Director/Dementia Practitioner. She loves supporting patients and their caregivers. Our practice offers expert level care in a community setting. Because of our association with an international research corporation we are also in a unique position to extend opportunities for treatments not otherwise available. She believes that it’s a pleasure to be a part of staff here who works as a team to provide education, support and as much as possible, a bit of amusement. Her goal is to help our patients maintain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.
Years ago her grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease then after taking care of her father her mother was diagnosed. She has worked in the medical field for over four decades as a Medical Biller but finds herself so fortunate to be working for this neurology practice as a Clinical Administrative Assistant in more of a “face to face” capacity with our patients. The years of experience supporting her mother through the disease was an education in what it takes to be a caregiver. She feels she developed more insight into what we can provide here to aid our patients and their support group. She feels she is especially blessed to be in an environment locally that can offer research trials that would not otherwise be accessible. She loves that the team here works to provide smiles every day to the ‘family’ that walks through our doors.
Morgan Tromblee has been working in Alzheimer’s disease research as a sub-investigator with Dr. Donald Marks since 2022. She also works clinically in the outpatient neurology setting, primarily seeing patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. She received her master’s at the MGH Institute of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program, and her bachelor’s in biology at the University of Vermont.
Elizabeth Simpson has been working in Alzheimer’s disease research as a sub-investigator with Dr. Donald Marks since 2021. She also works clinically in the outpatient neurology setting, primarily seeing patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Lizzy received her master’s degree in medical science at the Tufts University Physician Assistant Program, and her bachelor’s degrees at Providence College.
Dr. Hreib obtained his MD, Ph.D. and M.B.A. From Boston University and was trained in medicine and Neurology at Boston University Medical Center and Boston City Hospital. His professional life as a neurologist began at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA, where he was the director of Vascular Neurology for over twenty years, after which he became the chief of Neurology at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA before becoming the Chief Medical Officer for Baystate Health North. Dr. Hreib continued to see patients as a neurologist while the chief medical executive and later decided to join Donald Marks clinic on neurodegenerative disease in Plymouth.
For over 30 years, Dr. Marks has focused on the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, specifically in the areas of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Marks has been the Principal Investigator (PI) in over 40 clinical trials with numerous pharmaceutical and imaging companies as well as with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Marks is a member of the medical staff at the Beth Israel Lahey Health Hospital (BILH) Plymouth and the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. He is the founding Medical Director for the Division of Neurology at the BILH Plymouth.