Alzheimer clinical trial enrolling

Living with Alzheimer's, or having a loved one with the disease can be very difficult.

Medical teams are hopeful that a new study could not only help detect Alzheimer's, but be a step on the way to prevention.

"There's absolutely nothing on the market that will in any way change your risk of getting Alzheimer's. There is nothing you can do if you are at risk for getting it you are going to get it if you live long enough," said Dr. John Stoukides of Rhode Island Mood and Memory Institute .

To combat the disease, one must first know what it is.

"We know Alzheimer's is caused by a build up of a toxin in the brain."

Investigators like Dr. Stoukides have made a passive vaccine that might help.

"Take the antibodies against the toxin in the lab and give them to people in small amount and controlled amount. So that we could take the toxin out of their brain slowly steadily and safely."

Rhode Island Mood and Memory Research Institute is conducting trials.

"We're looking for people over the age of 50 who have noticed some subtle changes in their memory that seems out of the ordinary to either them or their family."

The people who fit into the risk profile may go on to get the vaccine.

"The others will be reassured that its probably nothing and just life day to day stress that's causing their memory problems which happens more often than not."

The initial screening is absolutely free, and those who make it into the study have an extra incentive.

"Actually we pay for their travel expenses so there is a small reimbursement for people to be part of this study. And time commitment is a few hours a month, so it's not a lot," said Stoukides.

Everyone at Rhode Island Mood and Memory Research Institute wants to offer hope to the people at risk.

"Hope that they may be able to do something to prevent it or more importantly to help us find a way to keep people from getting it."