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Bobbie's Story

Clinical Trials Offer Answers & Hope During Alzheimer’s Journey

Fighting for a Diagnosis

When Bobbie started displaying troubling signs of memory loss, her son, Ivan Jones, took her to see her primary care physician. However, the doctor dismissed Bobbie’s concerns as normal aging. Ivan wasn’t convinced and sought another opinion at Barrow Neurological Institute, a renowned center for top-tier patient care and neuroscience research. Here, they met neurologist Marwan Sabbagh, MD, FAAN, who enrolled Bobbie in a clinical trial.

The trial included an initial PET scan—one that changed everything for Bobbie. It detected the presence of the amyloid protein in her brain when all other tests and blood work indicated that everything was normal. Finally, she had a diagnosis: Alzheimer’s disease.

With that confirmation, Bobbie officially began the clinical trial. Ivan says she has already been able to contribute to research by providing evidence as to why PET scans are vital for early Alzheimer’s diagnosis and should be covered by insurance.

“The things my mom is doing for this trial have not only paid substantial dividends for her health but are also paving the way for someone else to have an easier journey. It feels good knowing that we are playing a part in the long-term fight against this disease, and we are grateful to Barrow for giving us this opportunity.” – Ivan Jones

Transforming the Future of Neurological Treatment

Bobbie Jordan
Bobbie Jordan and Marwann Sabbagh, MD, FAAN

Barrow matches scientists and clinicians with complementary expertise to move research from the lab into the clinic as quickly as possible. There are no silos here—our clinicians and scientists work in close proximity, build projects together, and collaborate on studies. This unique model also provides our patients with access to new, early-phase clinical trials.

As the prevalence of conditions like Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, Barrow remains committed to training future generations of leading neuroscience experts. We empower our trainees to bring their ideas to the table and see them through from start to finish. Through this, they learn to be active participants in changing the course of medicine, building upon today’s research to discover tomorrow’s treatments.

Support Neuroscience Research

Your support of neuroscience research is more important now than ever. At Barrow, each study conducted, clinical trial launched, and specialist trained has the potential to transform countless lives.

Your support means that means more patients like Bobbie can have a better quality of life and spend precious time with their loved ones.

Support Neuroscience Research

Watch the video below to see the impact of your support.

“The things my mom is doing for this trial have not only paid substantial dividends for her health but are also paving the way for someone else to have an easier journey. It feels good knowing that we are playing a part in the long-term fight against this disease, and we are grateful to Barrow for giving us this opportunity.”

– Ivan Jones, caretaker

Your Support Transforms Lives

When hope seems lost, Barrow is here. Join our mission in transforming the lives of countless patients with a gift today!