TrialMatch — Free Clinical Trial Matching Service

Organization Overview

The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Founded in 1980, the Association funds research, provides education and advocacy, and supports millions of individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The Association is the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research, and its advocacy has helped grow federal Alzheimer’s research funding to $3.8 billion annually, a more than seven-fold increase in the last decade.

Clinical Trial Recruitment Resource

TrialMatch is the Alzheimer’s Association’s free, evidence-based clinical studies matching service. It is a continuously updated database of Alzheimer’s-related studies, including pharmacological trials, non-pharmacological interventions, biomarker studies, and online studies, that connects individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, caregivers, and healthy volunteers to current research. Users complete a health profile and are matched to studies for which they may be eligible, with contact information provided for the trial team. Matching is also available via live specialist assistance through the 24/7 helpline (800-272-3900) in over 200 languages.

Metrics

Trials listed: Hundreds of continuously updated pharmacological and non-pharmacological studies
Service Launch: 2010; over 320,000 users by 2020
Languages: Available in English and Spanish online; 200+ languages via helping
User Types: People with Alzheimer’s/MCI/other dementia, caregivers, healthy volunteers
Helpline: 24/7 access 800-272-3900 with master’s-level dementia specialists

Discussion

TrialMatch addresses the most fundamental barrier to Alzheimer’s trial recruitment: potential participants do not know which trials exist or whether they qualify. By aggregating study data into a consumer-friendly matching interface and backing it with live expert assistance, TrialMatch removes the technical burden from patients and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association’s brand recognition and trusted community presence, through local chapters in all 50 states, the 24/7 helpline, ALZConnected forums, and ALZ Talks webinars, means that TrialMatch reaches individuals at the moment of highest motivation and receptivity to research. The Association’s relationships with pharmaceutical sponsors and academic investigators also mean that important new trials are actively promoted through TrialMatch’s channel.