Montana’s McLaughlin Research Institute aims to establish one of the nation’s first rural clinical research centers

The McLaughlin Research Institute for Biomedical Sciences in Great Falls has served a major role in biomedical research in Montana for nearly 70 years.

While much of their research has focused on using mouse models as a way to dissect the genetic basis of susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases, they are on the path towards a much bigger goal, in the hopes that it will bring all sorts of benefits to the Treasure State. That goal is establishing one of the nation’s first rural clinical research centers, which will be aimed at expanding clinical research in neurodegenerative diseases.

McLaughlin Research Institute Assistant Professor, Tiffany Hensley-McBain stated, “There are hundreds of clinical trials enrolling in Alzheimer’s disease right now, and zero of them are recruiting in Montana. In fact, traditionally, only eight studies on Alzheimer’s disease have ever enrolled a Montanan.”

By: Cade Menter