Thinking about joining a clinical trial? Clinical research has led to the discovery of every disease treatment prescribed today. Read these articles to learn the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical study and how they work. By being part of a clinical trial, you may help others, including future generations, get better treatments.
Looking for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias clinical trials? Visit our clinical trials finder.
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What Are Clinical Trials and Studies?
Interested in clinical research? Learn about the phases of clinical trials, why older and diverse participants are needed, and what to ask before participating.
![Female researcher looking at a brain scan](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/what-are-clinical-trials-meta.jpg?itok=FMnIOUrA)
Clinical Trials: Benefits, Risks, and Safety
Explore the benefits and risks of clinical trials, as well as ways participant safety is protected, including institutional review boards and informed consent.
![Older couple listening about the benefits, risks, and safety protections of clinical trials](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2019-12/iStock-1055095272%20patient%20spouse%20and%20health%20professional%20metaimage.jpg?itok=Ej0Kafca)
Placebos in Clinical Trials
In undertaking a clinical trial, researchers don’t want to leave anything to chance. The “gold standard” for testing interventions in people is the “randomized, placebo-controlled” clinical trial.
![doctor and older woman](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-07/placebo-meta.jpg?itok=5XhaPRpQ)
Participating in Alzheimer's Disease Research
Learn about volunteering for Alzheimer's disease research and why it matters.
![Diverse group of Alzheimer's disease clinical trial participants](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/participating-in-alzheimers-disease-research-meta.jpg?itok=R3Yd3cFl)
Registries and Matching Services for Clinical Trials
How can you help Alzheimer’s and other dementia/brain research? Join a registry or matching service. NIH and others match volunteers with clinical studies.
![Older woman looking at clinical trials information online with her doctor](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-06/registries-matching-services-meta.jpg?itok=opoMjml-)
Recruiting Older Adults into Research (ROAR) Toolkit
Get help recruiting older adults and caregivers to research studies with this toolkit from the NIH, CDC, and ACL. Includes presentations and flyers.
![Doctor and Latino woman](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2017-07/roar-meta.jpg?itok=2bcjGmLE)
Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations
Brain donation helps researchers study brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, that affect millions of people. Learn about why people donate their brains, the process of brain donation, and how you can enroll to make this generous gift.
![Family reading: Grandparents reading a book to 3 small children who are sitting on their laps.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218014937im_/https://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/meta_150x150/public/2020-05/family-children-reading-book-meta_1.jpg?itok=Ghd_9LUN)