TAMPA, Fla. — A research trial for the Alzheimer’s drug Lecanemab aims to find out if the medication can stop the disease in people that may have a family history or other factors that put them at high risk to develop it.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, nearly seven million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The medication Lecanemab is one of the only treatments available, proven in trial phases to slow down the disease’s progression in the early stages.

A trial called the AHEAD Study will look into whether the drug can stop the disease before a person even receives a diagnosis.

Ann Gurek is a participant locally. She receives treatment as part of the trial at USF’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Center and Research Institute. Gurek’s father had Alzheimer’s disease, and testing revealed she has advanced levels of plaque on her brain, a biomarker that she is at high risk.

“It’s like the reality of it slapping you upside the head when you realize you very well could have this disease,” Gurek said.

She enrolled in the AHEAD Study and for the past two years, has been receiving treatments. Researchers are hoping the results show Lecanemab slows down or prevents a potential diagnosis.

“If you could imagine having a broom in the brain sweeping out these abnormally growing proteins that are really causing the memory decline,” described Angela Hill, the Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs at USF’s Taneja College of Pharmacy.

“Being in this trial is my hope,” Gurek said. “It’s my way of fighting back against this disease.”

More participants are needed for the AHEAD Study. People of all races and ethnicity are encouraged to enroll. You can visit the Ahead Study website for more information or reach out directly to USF by emailing Jenny Echevarria Medina at Jenny8@USF.edu.