NeuroThrive – Dementia Prevention in Aspen, CO

A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that tests whether a new medical treatment, drug, or approach is safe and effective for people. Clinical trials are the most reliable way scientists and doctors have to discover better treatments — and every medication or therapy available today only exists because people bravely participated in trials before us.

Phase III trials compare a promising new treatment against the current standard of care, usually involving a larger group of participants. These trials are a critical step before a treatment can be approved. Phase IV trials happen after a treatment has already been approved — they continue to track its long-term safety, effectiveness, and how it works in a broader population. Mountain Neurological Research Center specializes in both of these later-stage trials, meaning the treatments we study have already shown real promise.

Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide, and that number is growing every day. Despite decades of research, we still have very limited tools to prevent or slow the disease. Clinical trials are our most powerful path forward. Without participants willing to take part in research, no new treatments can ever be approved. Every person who joins a trial is helping to write the next chapter in dementia care — not just for themselves, but for millions of families who will face this disease in the years ahead.

Each trial has specific eligibility criteria — things like age, diagnosis, medical history, and current medications. These guidelines exist to keep participants safe and to make sure the research produces meaningful results. When you contact us, our team will walk you through the requirements in a warm, no-pressure conversation to see if a trial might be a good fit for you or your loved one.

Participants may gain access to cutting-edge treatments before they are widely available, as well as close monitoring from a dedicated medical team. Many participants find deep meaning in contributing to research that may help future generations. That said, we will always be honest with you - not every participant experiences direct benefit, and we will never make promises we can't keep. What we can promise is that your care and well-being will always come first.

All medical research carries some level of risk, and we take that seriously. Before you ever agree to participate, our team will explain every possible side effect and risk in plain, honest language. No one is pressured to join, and you are always free to ask questions, take time to think, or bring a family member to any appointment. Your safety is not negotiable — it is the foundation of everything we do.

Before you join any trial, you will go through a process called informed consent. This means our team will sit down with you — and any family members or caregivers you'd like to include — to explain the study in detail, answer every question you have, and give you all the time you need to decide. Signing a consent form is not a commitment you can't change. It simply confirms that you understand what participation involves and are choosing to proceed freely

Visit schedules vary depending on the specific trial. Some studies require frequent check-ins early on, while others involve less regular visits over a longer period. We always aim to make participation as manageable as possible and will work with you to accommodate your schedule and circumstances.

No. Study-related care, medications, and tests provided as part of the trial are covered at no cost to you. Some trials also offer reimbursement for travel or other participation-related expenses.

Some trials do use a placebo — a treatment that looks identical to the real one but contains no active ingredient — to help researchers make fair comparisons. If the trial you are considering uses a placebo, we will explain this clearly before you consent.

Your privacy is protected by strict federal regulations, including HIPAA. All data collected during the trial is kept confidential and stored securely. Information used in research is typically de-identified, meaning it cannot be traced back to you personally. We take the responsibility of safeguarding your information very seriously.

As a participant, you have the right to be fully informed about the study before consenting, to ask questions at any time, to withdraw without consequence, to receive information about the results when the study concludes, and to be treated with dignity and respect throughout. These are not just policies — they are commitments we make to every single person who walks through our doors.

Every clinical trial is reviewed and monitored by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) — an independent committee of doctors, researchers, and community members whose sole job is to protect participants. Trials are also subject to oversight by the FDA and the sponsoring organization. Multiple layers of protection are in place before any trial begins, and throughout its duration.