 Meridien Research performs medical research for a number of important diseases in order to assess the effectiveness and safety of new medical treatments.
Research studies are a good way to be in on the latest advances in medicine. Clinical trials of important new medications are evaluated in phase II, phase III, and phase IV clinical studies in order to find new treatments for patients suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity and others.
Meridien Research is a resource for patients and families interested in clinical trials of investigational medications available in their local area. Clinical research subjects undergo medical testing, and are closely followed by the study physician and medical staff. There is never a charge to the patient as the cost of medical research is paid for by the pharmaceutical company sponsor.
In order to participate in a clinical trial it is important that the research site is aware of the medications you may be taking and all your health conditions and diagnoses. A detailed medical history and physical exam will be performed. Meridien Research does not take the place of your family doctor, but works with your family doctor when appropriate to make sure your participation in a clinical study is right for you.
Medical research is for patients who are interested in looking for new treatments,
who have the time to answer questions about side effects, who are willing to undergo testing, and who are willing to follow the requirements of the study. Sometimes new, unproven medications are compared to already approved medications in clinical trials, sometimes older medications are improved upon chemically and then studied again for safety and effectiveness. Placebo (sugar pills) are sometimes used as part of a study, as study drug must do better than placebo in order to be approved. Not all studies use placebos however; for example, birth control pills for contraception studies do not use placebos. Many studies in anxiety and depression use an active comparator, such as an already approved anti-depressant in comparison to the newer medication. If you are already treated for diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease, many studies require that you stay on your medication while a study medication is added to your current treatment. Every study is different.
You do not have to have a medical condition to participate in a clinical trial. Normal, healthy people are studied to see the effects of a medication as part of normal aging changes, or the effect of a medication on blood sugar or blood pressure in research subjects without medical problems. Menopause is not a medical condition but hot flashes or hot flushes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis can be negative consequences of hormone withdrawal. Sexual dysfunction, with a decrease in libido or sexual desire, can also be part of the menopause and is an important area of medical research. New treatments, without hormones, are being investigated in clinical studies.
Overweight or obese individuals may have problems with blood sugar, cholesterol, or desire weight loss, all important areas of medical research. Pharmaceutical research is also focused on bringing new therapies to people with pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, and diabetic neuropathy.
Medications are in development for those that suffer from abdominal pain with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and GERD.
Everyone worries about memory loss as we age….could it be Alzheimer’s? But in fact age-associated memory loss also called age-associated memory impairment (AAMI), mild cognitive impairment, and dementia are all different conditions that have investigational medications in clinical trials underway.
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