This article describes a study design that aims to prove that the combination of two drugs – acting on the two major pathophysiological mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (i.e. amyloid deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation) – can modify the disease’s progression. We suggest that these drugs would work best in delaying progression to dementia in persons with mild cognitive impairment that is due to Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore we propose that if such a drug combination is effective, it could be affordable using the models of drug combinations against tuberculosis, AIDS/HIV and breast cancer. This article, written by a first year medical student at McGill University, is an example of the importance of exposing physicians in training to the social impact of clinical research. This is the first publication of the Ethical, Legal, Social Impact (ELSI) committee of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA).
