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Rush, Northwestern Studying New Anti-Dementia Drug

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Alzheimer's researchers at Rush University Medical Center and Northwestern University have launched a study to test a new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease, and are looking for volunteers to take part.

WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports, if the study involving the drug Solanezumab proves successful, several years down the road you might be getting a routine brain scan to check amyloid plaque levels, much like people get a blood test to check cholesterol levels.

Solanezumab is thought to reduce the amount of amyloid plaque buildup in the brain.

"The amyloid accumulation is really one of the biggest things that we're trying to slow down when it comes to Alzheimer's Disease," said Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, a neurologist at Rush.

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The buildup of that plaque is thought to play a big role in the development of dementia and Alzheimer's.

She said researchers are looking for people over the age of 65, who have not been diagnosed with memory loss or dementia, to take part in the study. Researchers want to figure out if giving patients Solanezumab before alymoid plaque reaches a certain level can prevent dementia or Alzheimer's.

The study will involve 1,000 participants who will take part for 180 weeks, or approximately 3 1/2 years.

For more information on the study, click here.

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