INDIANAPOLIS — It's times like these Rebecca and Fred Everbach cherish, reminiscing about their recent trip to London.
A few years ago, Rebecca started noticing a change in Fred. He was becoming forgetful.
"There was just some small signs that it was just ... something wasn't right," Rebecca said.
Fred was healthy.
"But I started having difficulty with my work," he said.
And with his communication. They met with their doctor who told them, "You need to see a gerontologist or anti-aging physician and IU is doing all this research. Get into a study," Rebecca recounted.
One of those clinical studies is investigating a new diagnostic test, led by Dr. Jeffrey Dage, a senior research professor of neurology at Indiana University School of Medicine. The study is investigating a simple blood test compared with a lumbar puncture test that can help Hoosiers determine if Alzheimer's disease could be responsible for their symptoms.
It's a disease impacting nearly seven million Americans, a debilitating condition affecting memory, thinking and behavior.
"Being able to measure a form of tau protein - phosphorylated tau - in blood, helps us understand what's going on in the brain," Dage said.
Tau protein is found in the brain. It's one of the main proteins linked with Alzheimer's disease. Too much of the protein or abnormalities can lead to neurodegenerative conditions.
Dage, a former researcher at Eli Lilly, led the discovery and development of phosphorylated tau as a novel blood biomarker for Alzheimer's disease clinical trials.
"It's changing the world in terms of how Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed, how it's treated, and it all started here in Indiana," said Dage.
The results showed Fred had Alzheimer's.
"I wanted to be part of something that would help others with my symptoms," Fred said.
And he encourages others to take part in a test that predicts up to more than 90% who is at risk of Alzheimer's disease.
"If you don't do it, the treatments and the cures are not going to be creating those breakthroughs that we need," Rebecca said.
Those breakthroughs could come with more participation, including those in underserved or underrepresented communities.
"And we've got to make people excited about being part of it," said Dage.
Excited to help be part of the change in finding a cure.
"It just truly is amazing what they're doing," said Rebecca.
"It is remarkable," added Fred.
Until that cure comes, Frank is on a medication to help slow the progression of the disease.
"My wife goes with me to doctor's appointments and important meetings," Fred said. "She's very helpful to me and to us together an that's really a blessing, and one for which I'm thankful."
There are several open studies for Hoosiers with different requirements. The current diagnostic studies are looking for people of ages 55 to 80.
Studies are available for Hoosiers with memory concerns starting at the age of 40. The Longitudinal Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Study (LEADS) is for ages 40-64. The Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and Indiana Memory and Aging Study usually enrolls ages 65 and over.
To find out more about clinical trial at IU, click here and visit this website if you are interested in participating in a study.