Why CNS Trials Are Hard to Enroll and How Patiro Approaches Them
CNS trials ask a lot of participants. Screening can involve cognitive testing, MRI or PET imaging, lumbar puncture and long visit schedules, and many protocols need a study partner who attends visits too. Competition is high as well: a search of ClinicalTrials.gov in November 2026 found more than 1,100 actively recruiting interventional studies in Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease alone.
The result is a funnel that leaks at every stage. Interested patients drop out when they learn what screening involves, caregivers cannot commit the time, and sites spend weeks on candidates who fail a biomarker or cognitive threshold.
Patiro tightens that funnel by pre-screening against the criteria that matter most in CNS protocols and by involving caregivers early.
Patiro's Expertise in CNS Clinical Trials
We have supported studies in Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, myasthenia gravis, small fiber neuropathy, neuromyelitis optica, narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, as well as pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) among others. These indications differ a great deal, but the recruitment problems repeat: specialist care pathways, long diagnostic histories and a heavy role for family members.
Our medically trained pre-screeners ask about diagnosis, disease stage, current treatment and the practical side of participation, including whether a study partner is available. For conditions where the patient may not be the first point of contact, we speak to caregivers directly and plan for their role in consent discussions and visit scheduling.
This page covers CNS studies across neurology and sleep medicine. For more on specific areas, see our pages on neurology and psychiatry.
Why Partner With Patiro for Your CNS Trial?
Each candidate has a 1-on-1 pre-screening with our local medical team, in their own language, before referral. Sites get support from onboarding through enrollment, and sponsors see the full funnel in real time in our platform. We work full service or as an FSP, and we have supported recruitment in 44+ countries since 2014.
Contact us to discuss how we can help with clinical trial recruitment for your CNS trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CNS Indications Has Patiro Recruited For?
Our experience includes Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, myasthenia gravis, small fiber neuropathy, neuromyelitis optica, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia and PANS.
How Do You Involve Caregivers and Study Partners?
Where a protocol needs a study partner, we confirm availability during pre-screening and include the caregiver in conversations about visits and consent, so sites do not lose candidates late in screening.
Can You Reduce Screen Failure on Cognitive or Biomarker Criteria?
We cannot replace site assessments, but we pre-qualify on diagnosis, disease stage, history and available records, so fewer candidates reach imaging or cognitive testing with little chance of qualifying.
Do You Support Device and Procedure Studies in CNS?
Yes. Patiro supports trials of medicines, medical devices and procedures, and adapts pre-screening to the specific requirements of each study.
How Does Pricing Work?
Patiro offers a pay-per-enrolled-patient model, so sponsors pay for participants who are enrolled rather than for referral volume. That keeps budget risk low and ties our incentives to your enrollment target. Other payment models are available if they suit the study better.
How Fast Can You Start CNS Patient Recruitment?
It depends on how settled the protocol is, which countries are involved and whether the site plan is final. Once pre-screening criteria and referral pathways are agreed, we can start quickly. We also join studies that are already behind on enrollment, so a late start is not a reason to wait.
