Medical matters

FAU seeks subjects for Alzheimer’s prevention study.

People worried that Alzheimer’s disease may run in the family can volunteer to see if they’re qualified for a five-year prevention study.

The Comprehensive Center for Brain Health at Florida Atlantic University in Boca is one of 190 sites worldwide taking part in the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative Generation Program.

Dr. James Galvin, the associate dean for clinical research at FAU, is a principal investigator for the study.

The program will test a medication aimed at preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in healthy people “whose genetic makeup puts them at particularly high risk for developing the disease when they’re older,” Galvin said.

“The risk gene we’re looking for is the apoE gene,” Gavin said.

Galvin is looking for 20 people who will qualify. The age range is 60 to 75. The only cancer allowed is basal or squamous cell skin cancer.

The study medication is an experimental enzyme inhibitor called Betasecretase, Galvin said.

To apply, go to med.fau.edu/ccbh/, call 561-297-0164, or go to GenerationProgram.com