What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition caused by changes in the brain that gradually affect a person’s memory, thinking, feelings and interactions with the world. It is the most common form of dementia, making up 60-70% of cases, and affects millions of people worldwide. Supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease often brings daily challenges and uncertainty, but understanding the condition and symptoms can help you and your loved one navigate daily life.
Behavior & Memory Symptoms
About 70% of people with Alzheimer’s disease experience significant changes in their behavior, which can occur at any stage of the disease. These symptoms are often out of character and can be upsetting for both you and your loved one, affecting all practical, physical and emotional aspects of day-to-day life. In addition to behavioral symptoms, people with the disease may also experience changes in memory and cognition.
Becoming easily upset or restless, known as agitation, is a common behavioral symptom and can be distressing for you and your loved one. It is important to remember that this often comes from fear, confusion, pain or a physical need (e.g., hunger)—not from anger toward you. Agitation can look like:
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (hallucinations) or believing something that is untrue (delusions) are common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These may be referred to as psychosis and can feel unsettling for you and your loved one. It means that the brain is processing reality differently, which can happen at any stage of Alzheimer’s disease, often becoming more common as the disease progresses. Some signs of psychosis include:
Cognition refers to how a person thinks, learns, remembers and understands the world around them. In Alzheimer’s disease, changes in the brain can gradually affect these abilities. Cognitive changes can appear early or develop over time and may impact independence, communication and confidence. Cognition can appear in the following ways:
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, see if you or your loved one may be eligible for a Bristol Myers Squibb Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial. Prescreening takes only five minutes and helps identify studies that may be relevant for you.
Take a quick prescreener now
Clinical trials (also called clinical studies) are research studies involving people that help researchers understand a disease and evaluate how an experimental drug may work in the body. People may choose to participate to contribute to research, access investigational treatments or help future patients. However, experiences vary and may involve risks such as side effects, procedure-related risks or unknown risks, and there may be no direct benefit to the individual.
Watch this short video to understand how clinical trials work.
Bristol Myers Squibb’s
Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
At Bristol Myers Squibb, researchers are exploring how changes in the brain contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and the symptoms that can affect daily life for people living with the condition and their caregivers. Some of this work focuses on how brain cells communicate and how inflammation in the brain may play a role in symptoms such as agitation. Scientists are studying enzymes called FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase) and MAGL (monoacylglycerol lipase), which help regulate natural brain chemicals involved in calming overactive nerve signals. Learning how to better balance these signals may help support brain health and ease certain symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Bristol Myers Squibb is also researching KarXT, an investigational oral medicine designed to act on brain pathways involved in thinking, memory and behavior. KarXT is being studied for symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, including cognition, psychosis and agitation that can be especially challenging for people living with the condition and for those who care for them.
Bristol Myers Squibb is conducting clinical research to better understand Alzheimer’s disease and develop new treatment options.
Go to Active Trials
Why Consider Participating in Clinical Research?
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, see if you or your loved one may be eligible for a Bristol Myers Squibb Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial. Prescreening takes only five minutes and helps identify studies that may be relevant for you.
Take a quick prescreener now 
Your role is essential to ensuring safety, understanding and continuity of care. The immense time and emotional energy you dedicate to supporting your loved one each day does not go unnoticed. In clinical trials, caregivers often sit at the center of care. You may also be asked to:
Because Alzheimer’s disease affects memory and cognition, your involvement as a caregiver is often essential to help ensure the study runs safely and smoothly. Participation is completely voluntary, and you and your loved one may withdraw at any time, for any reason.
You or a loved one may be eligible to participate in an Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial sponsored by Bristol Myers Squibb. Explore the below available trials and prescreener to learn more about participation opportunities.
You or your loved one may be eligible for one of the above Bristol Myers Squibb Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials. Prescreening takes only five minutes and helps identify studies that may be relevant for you.
Take a quick prescreener now 
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