AN Alzheimer’s  disease vaccine which could slow down the disease is to be trialed on Merseyside patients.

Mental health trust the 5 Boroughs  Partnership was today recruiting  patients – the only NHS organisation  in the North of England to take part  in the international study.

The NHS trust provides services in  Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington and  Halton, but was looking for patients who show very early signs of the illness from across the region.

Dr Ashley Baldwin said: “This  trial will be looking at patients with  prodromal Alzheimer’s, which  means the very early signs.

“Vaccines for the disease are  already in the trial stages, but they  have been for patients who are  already further down the line.

“A vaccine cannot reverse the  symptoms, it only stops or slows  down any further damage.

“This is why this trial is aimed at  people who may not realise they are  developing the illness yet, so we can  catch it and hopefully stop or slow  down its development.

“Everyone forgets things but if this  is happening a lot  and other people  are beginning to notice, then this is  one of the signs we are looking for.

“It is all completely voluntary and  the patients who come forward will  receive a series of tests to see if they  are right for the trial.”

The trial, known as the SCarlet  RoAD study, will be recruiting people  in 15 countries.

Overall 360 people are needed  but 5  Boroughs will take as many people as  possible who are eligible.

Patients will be tested monthly for  a period of two and a half years at the  trust’s research centre which is based  in Warrington.

During each check up they will be  given a dose of the vaccine.

The study investigators are  looking for study participants who:

* Are aged between 50 and 85 years;

* Have noticed (and someone else  has noticed) a gradual decline in  memory over the last 12 months;

* Are not currently taking any  medications for dementia or  Alzheimer’s disease;

* Have a friend or relative who is  able to say how they are managing  with daily activities and who is  willing to provide information at  clinic visits;

* Are interested in participating in  a study that lasts for two years and  five months and which will involve  visits to a clinic at least once every  month.

Those who believe they may be  eligible to participate, or who know  someone who may be, should visit the  website at www.scarletroadstudy.com  or call 0808 189 1497 for more  information.