Our role in clinical trials is to act as a bridge between science and the well-being of our patients.
As research-specialized nurses, our work goes beyond administering study drugs; we are responsible for ensuring the safety of both patients and their families in what is often an initially unfamiliar environment.
When we talk about neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s, referring to a clinical trial is not about an experiment, but about a therapeutic opportunity supported by close monitoring; it means access to therapies such as monoclonal antibodies before they reach the market.
In our day hospital, we work in strict compliance with research protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. We receive patients after their neurologist visit and carry out care procedures as defined in each protocol (monitoring vital signs, performing ECGs, blood draws, pharmacokinetic studies…), administer treatment, and aim to detect potential adverse effects early. We are also responsible for the preparation, handling, storage, and shipment of biological samples.
Due to how trial visits are structured, caregivers move from being observers to becoming active participants in the process. From nursing, we often provide them with space to express doubts about the disease, the process, or caregiving, addressing concerns that are deeply important for both patients and their families. We are at a key moment, with the first disease-modifying treatments approaching the market, which requires continuous training and up-to-date knowledge to provide accurate and rigorous information.
Lecanemab and Donanemab do not only treat symptoms but modify the course of the disease. Early detection of ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities seen in MRI scans) will be essential to ensure patient safety.
We are also prepared to adapt to the current landscape, where less invasive techniques are increasingly used for candidate preselection, such as blood-based biomarkers.
Working within a multidisciplinary clinical trials team, nurses often act as the link between the team and the patient-family unit, balancing scientific rigor with human support, ensuring both safety and dignity throughout the process. We are care managers, bringing innovation into every aspect of our work, humanizing science in every sample we collect and every action we take.
Laia Cañada
Head of Nursing, Clinical Trials Unit
