Since January, Jim Manuel has been driving for Uber. He enjoys the flexibility of the part-time job.

“I never imagine I’m going to just sit there and watch TV and let my brain get stagnant,” said Manuel, who worked for State Farm Insurance for 34 years before retiring.

It’s just one of the ways the Saratoga County man keeps his mind working, especially since his family has a history of Alzheimer’s disease.

Manuel’s parents, paternal grandmother, and paternal uncle all had the disease. Now at age 62, he’s worried Alzheimer’s is inevitable for him.

“I’ve noticed in the last couple of years, sometimes I have more trouble remembering,” said Manuel, who also runs a wedding officiant business. “I’m double checking to make sure I’m saying the right thing, that I’m not slipping at all.”

He took a proactive approach two years ago by becoming a patient at the Neurological Associates of Albany. Manuel is seeking to participate in a clinical trial.

Dr. Richard Holub is the principal investigator at the center and has researched 150 programs over the last 35 years.

“Every particulate research trial has an approach that is attempting to unlock and answer to a problem and develop a treatment,” Holub said.

One of the clinical trials he’s currently working on is Athira LIFT AD. Holub says what makes this one stand out is its method of using a small molecule that can be delivered easily into the brain via a small insulin-like syringe. He says this enlivens the neurotrophic and neuroprotective system.

“Patients on the medical have demonstrated an improvement in the system within approximately eight days; statistically significant improvement,” he said.

His office is one of 46 sites across the country currently handing the provisions with about 300 patients enrolled nationwide. Right now, the trial is in phase three, and Dr. Holub estimates in a couple of years, this data will be presented to the FDA for approval.

Manuel has no doubt Alzheimer’s is coming if nothing is done, which is why he’s taking these steps now hoping to be part of the solution.

“If nothing else, I’d like to think I’m going to be part of what will come to the ultimate cure on this,” Manuel said. “If not for me, at least for my daughters, for other people or future generations.”