By William Jacko
Special to The Laker/Lutz News
Meridien Research in Spring Hill recently had a patient whose dementia-related agitation dramatically subsided while participating in an Alzheimer’s clinical study it was conducting.
“When we first met this patient, he was pacing, walking up and down the halls, and kept repeating that he wanted to leave,” said Sarah Hollingshead, site director for Meridien’s Spring Hill office.
“He had participated in another clinical trial at a different site, and was not happy with his previous experience. But here, we made him feel welcome and comfortable, and he agreed to give clinical research trial another try. The patient completed one study with us and saw great results. He then completed a second and saw mixed results. Now he’s in his third study, and he’s singing in our office and joking with us. His agitation symptoms have really subsided.”
While people participate in medical research studies for a variety of personal reasons, their participation also enables advances in medicine that can benefit everyone.
“Volunteers in medical research studies help with the development of medical therapies that may offer better treatments, and even cures, for life-threatening and chronic diseases,” said Hollingshead.
Meridien Research needs participants for many studies, including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, endometriosis, ulcerative colitis, idiopathic constipation, and low testosterone. It also is conducting a memory study for healthy people. There is no charge to participate, and no health insurance is necessary. Some studies offer compensation for time and travel.
Patient safety always comes first at Meridien Research.
“All of our research protocols are approved by an institutional review board that oversees the safety and welfare of our participants,” said Hollingshead. “This board ensures that the benefits of study participation outweigh the risks, and sets the protocols to determine the suitability of a patient to be included in the study.”
All clinical trial activities at the Spring Hill location are overseen by Drs. James Andersen, Richard Powell, and Gigi Lefebvre.
“Whenever someone is participating in a clinical trial, they are closely monitored,” said Hollingshead. “Once a patient is on the medication, he is often seen on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis — usually more than they would be seen by their regular physician.”
Meridien Research’s Spring Hill site also offers free memory testing, and sponsors a monthly Alzheimer’s caregiver support group that includes respite care.
“We offer free memory testing as a courtesy to our community,” said Hollingshead. “Our support group meets once a month, and caregivers can bring their loved ones to the meeting because we offer free respite care.”
Hollingshead derives great satisfaction from her work and the role that Meridien Research plays in helping people and science. She invites people to give her a call to see if they or someone they know will qualify for a clinical study at Meridien’s Spring Hill location.
352-269-5617 • NewStudyInfo.com
“Only 20 minutes from Land O’ Lakes, just west of the Suncoast Parkway.”
Published 7/24/19
