The Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) seeks applications to join the network from research centers capable of conducting high integrity clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (ADRD), with an emphasis on enrolling participants who are representative of the greater disease suffering population. The deadline for this application is May 30, 2023.

ACTC’s mission is to facilitate state-of the art AD/ADRD interventional trials by providing an optimal infrastructure, utilizing centralized resources, and leveraging shared expertise.

What type of research sites are invited to apply?

ACTC is looking for two categories of research sites:

1. Category A – Member Sites: Sites with established track record of conducting AD/ADRD trials.
2. Category B – Developmental/Exploratory Trial Sites: Sites with less experience in the conduct of AD/ADRD clinical trials interested in mentored opportunities through the consortium to establish rigorous programs in the conduct of these studies. Of particular interest for this category are sites with the leadership, staff, access, and relationships with communities who are typically under-represented in AD/ADRD trials.

Centers at academic institutions as well as not-for-profit and commercial organizations are encouraged to apply, but only sites within the United States qualify for either category of membership due to NIA regulations.

What are the benefits of ACTC membership?

ACTC is the premier NIA-funded network of AD/ADRD trial sites.

Member sites:

• Annual infrastructure funding covers effort for the following four positions: 5% of the Principal Investigator (PI), 20% of a Co-PI (ideally an early or mid-career investigator), 50% of a Site Liaison, and 100% of a community outreach coordinator.
• Site PIs are voting members of the ACTC Steering committee, approve any new ACTC Study proposals, provide input and guidance on study design and conduct, and may even co-lead multisite trials.
• Site staff have opportunity and access to an array of resources and committee involvement opportunities, intended to enhance the quality of trial conduct for individual investigators, sites, and the network overall.

Developmental/Exploratory sites:

• ACTC developmental/exploratory sites receive annual infrastructure cost to cover effort for the following four positions: 5% PI, 5% co-PI, 25% site liaison, 100% community outreach coordinator. This effort will support the planning and establishment of the infrastructure to become an ACTC member site.
• Developmental/exploratory sites will receive formal mentoring from an ACTC mentoring committee, with the goal of building capacity to support and eventually participate in ACTC trials.
• Site staff have opportunity and access to an array of resources and committee involvement opportunities, intended to enhance the quality of trial conduct for individual investigators, sites, and the network overall.

What are the expectations from ACTC Member Sites?

• ACTC Member Sites must agree to a Master Clinical Trial Agreement and to use the single, central Institutional Review Board (IRB). Fixed trial budgets are utilized for ACTC studies across all sites. Budgets do have input from a committee.
• ACTC site personnel (member and developmental/exploratory sites) are expected to participate in three ACTC steering committee meetings each year to discuss ongoing and consider new consortium studies and initiatives.
• Member site funded personnel are also expected participate in ACTC committees, initiatives, and trials and actively engage in the consortium activities. Sites must meet minimum performance requirements to maintain financial support. Minimum performance requirements are established with input from the ACTC steering committee members and the ACTC site metrics and budget committee.

How do I apply?

• Submit your application using this link: https://redcap.link/actc-new-sites. You will upload CVs for your application PI and co-PI and can save and return to the application if needed.
• Applications are due May 30, 2023. Applications are reviewed in June and selection will take place late June 2023, with subcontracts sent during July 2023.

How can I learn more?

• Studies we are conducting: https://www.actcinfo.org/projects/
• See our current member sites: https://www.actcinfo.org/member-sites/

Have more questions?

• Contact ACTC Program Administrator via email: waltersa@usc.edu, or by phone: 858-531-7089.

Committee of the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC). “Science precedes by open debate and discussion,” said Jason Karlawish, MD, who moderated the event and is co-chair of the ACTC Internal Ethics Committee. The goal of the debate was to inform the Alzheimer’s field about regulatory approaches that have been applied in the reviews of the drugs aducanumab, lecanemab, and donanemab. At the conclusion of the debate, audience members voted “yes” or “no” in response to the question “PET is a suitable surrogate endpoint?” Only 25% of audience members voted “yes.”

We are excited to announce that The Institute on Methods and Protocols for Advancement in Clinical Trials in ADRD (IMPACT-AD) is now accepting applications for its 2023 cycle. IMPACT-AD is an exciting opportunity for interested researchers to receive comprehensive training in clinical trials for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).  Two unique in-person tracks will be offered as part of IMPACT-AD 2023. Tracks will commence simultaneously and overlap. Applicants are permitted to apply to only one track per application cycle.

• Professionals Track – This track seeks applications from individuals with at least 2 years of experience in AD/ADRD research and/or clinical trials (in a broad variety of roles including, but not limited to clinicians, study coordinators, statisticians, psychometricians, and other study professionals) who wish to further their knowledge and advance their careers in AD/ADRD clinical trials (3.5 days).
• Fellowship Track – This track seeks applications from individuals seeking to serve as Principal Investigators in AD/ADRD trials now or in the future and offers mentored training in protocol development. Applications are open to individuals in their fellowship or postdoctoral training, faculty members or equivalent positions (5.5 days)

Trainee selection will be competitive; IMPACT-AD will cover all travel costs to attend this meeting. The course will take place at the Estancia Hotel in San Diego, CA, from August 27- September 1, 2023. For more information on the course, please see the attached course Request For Applications. Application instructions and additional information can be found at http://impact-ad.org/. A stated goal of the IMPACT-AD Course is to diversify the nation’s ADRD trialists. As such, we seek applicants from a broad range of geographic, demographic, and professional backgrounds. So, please forward this email to any person or organization that you believe may benefit from this course. We greatly appreciate your help in reaching a broad and diverse audience.

The following itinerary lists some of the sessions and posters where ACTC members are either presenting or have co-authored the presentation. We hope this highlights and provides insight into some of the work being done by ACTC members and collaborators. We look forward to connecting with you all and hope to see you there! ACTC at CTAD2022_HighlightsGuide

The following itinerary lists some of the sessions and posters where ACTC members are either presenting or have co-authored the presentation. We hope this highlights and provides insight into some of the work being done by ACTC members and collaborators. We look forward to connecting with you all and hope to see you there! ACTC at AAIC2022_HighlightsGuide