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The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease published a study by Paul Aisen, MD, professor of neurology and director of the Keck School’s Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI), and Rema Raman, PhD, professor of neurology and director of Biostatics at ATRI, examining the use of futility analysis as a tool, and whether some Alzheimer’s research is halted prematurely over financial concerns.
“The risk of building in interim futility analyses in AD efficacy trials, particularly if set up to provide a significant likelihood of leading to an early decision without sufficient information, may be substantial. In our view, the potential savings do not justify the loss in statistical power in most circumstances. In the pursuit of effective AD therapy, we must not forfeit real opportunities.”