New Alzheimer Trial to be Planned Using the NIH Collaboratory's Distributed Research Network
The Controlling and Stopping Cascades Leading to Adverse Drug Effects Study in Alzheimer's Disease (CASCADES-AD) will use the NIH Collaboratory's Distributed Research Network to characterize eligible patients and develop an intervention that tests the value of engaging health plan members, their caregivers, and prescribers to reduce potentially harmful medication use in patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias.
FDA Releases Framework for Evaluating the Use of Real-World Evidence : The framework is designed to fulfill the requirements of the 21st Century Cures Act by accelerating medical product development and fostering innovation and advances in medicine. It will ap ply to v arious pragmatic clinical trials embedded in health care systems and conducted as part of routine care.

Two New NIH Funding Opportunity Announcements for Pragmatic Trials Address the Opioid Crisis: Trials funded through the awards will become part of the NIH Collaboratory as phased UG3/UH3 cooperative research. Applications for Pragmatic and Implementation Studies for the Management of Pain to Reduce Opioid Prescribing (PRISM) are due February 8, 2019. Applications for Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trials of Acupuncture for Management of Chronic Low Back Pain in Older Adults are due March 15, 2019.
Trial Spotlight
ACP PEACE: Although advance care planning (ACP) is the most consistent modifiable factor associated with better end-of-life communication and goal-concordant care, clinicians often do not possess the communication skills needed for high-quality ACP conversations, and patients are often unable to imagine their options for medical care to make informed decisions. The new NIH Collaboratory Demonstration Project, Advance Care Planning: Promoting Effective and Aligned Communication in the Elderly (ACP PEACE), will address this gap through a comprehensive ACP program that combines clinician communication skills training and patient video decision aids. Watch a video interview about the study with co-principal investigator Dr. James Tulsky and read more about ACP PEACE.
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Featured in the Living Textbook
While understanding of patient perspectives about participating in research is growing, particularly with regard to consent, disclosure, and nondisclosure of research activities, little is known about trial participants’ views on data sharing. In a new section of the Living Textbook, Patient Perspectives on Data Sharing , we outline what may be required to share participants' data, concerns about privacy, and more.