In this blog, we will dive into four leading neurology case studies that demonstrate how targeted, patient-centered recruitment strategies can help sponsors accelerate clinical trial enrollment and improve study outcomes.
Case studies in this blog:
- Early Alzheimer’s disease recruitment across 5 countries
- Severe Dementia study using decentralized recruitment
- DSPN recruitment delivered ahead of schedule
- Migraine recruitment across 4 countries
Every year on May 12th, International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) shines a spotlight on conditions that continue to affect millions of patients worldwide, often invisibly, chronically and with profound impact on quality of life.
From Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), to Fibromyalgia (FM), neurological disorders remain some of the most challenging therapeutic areas of clinical research. Patients frequently face delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and long journeys toward effective care.
For sponsors developing innovative therapies in neurology and neuropsychiatry, one challenge consistently stands out:
Finding and engaging the right patients at the right time.
At Clariness, we understand that behind every enrollment target is a patient searching for answers and behind every successful study is a recruitment strategy built on empathy, precision and experience. As we recognize CIND Awareness Day, we also recognize the urgent need to accelerate neurological research through patient-centered recruitment solutions.
Navigating the complexity in neurological clinical trials
As of today, there are more than 6,800 ongoing neurological clinical trials and these studies often involve unique recruitment challenges:
- Complex eligibility criteria
- Long diagnostic journeys
- Underdiagnosed patient populations
- High screen-failure rates
- Care involvement
- Cognitive or mobility limitations
- Decentralized or hybrid trial demands
These complexities require more than traditional recruitment approaches, they require specialized expertise.
Four winning neurology case studies
With over 20 years of neurology/neuroscience patient recruitment experience, Clariness has supported sponsors across a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric indications, helping studies reach the right patients faster while reducing recruitment burden on sites.
Case study: Early Alzheimer’s disease recruitment across five countries
For as phase II study targeting patients aged 55-85 with early Alzheimer’s disease, Clariness implemented a 7-month, multi-country recruitment strategy spanning Argentina, Australia, Spain, and the US.
Our approach:
- Successfully piloted a point-based condition screener, designed to identify highly qualified referrals
- Used phone screeners with protocol-trained team members to optimize referral quality and improved patient engagement throughout the recruitment journey
- Optimized online screeners using site feedback, resulting in a higher referral-to-consent conversion rate
Our results:
- 160% randomizations versus target
- 94% increase in referral-to-consent rate versus plan
- 32% reduction in cost per randomization
Take a look at what our client from FHWS said:
Case Study: Severe Dementia study using decentralized recruitment
Clariness supported a severe dementia study requiring the recruitment of 99 patient-caregiver pairs during a period heavily impacted by COVID-19 disruptions and decentralized study operations. As the pandemic accelerated the transition toward decentralized clinical trials, traditional recruitment pathways became significantly disrupted, creating additional pressure on study timelines and budgets.
Our approach:
- Clariness leveraged ClinLife® to deliver highly targeted patient and caregiver referrals through digital recruitment channels
- The recruitment strategy was designed to support decentralized participation while reducing operational burden on study sites
Our results:
- Over 20% randomized study pairs delivered via ClinLife®
- 1 in 3 referred pairs were randomized
- 110% of committed randomization target delivered
Case study: DSPN recruitment delivered ahead of schedule
Clariness supported a Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy (DSPN) study across 22 sites in the US with the goal of randomizing 27 patients in 9 months.
Our approach:
- Clariness implementation a rigorous multi-step pre-screening process designed to identify highly qualified participants before site referral
- Maintained continuous collaboration with high-performing research sites to optimize referral management and recruitment efficiency
Our results:
- 200% randomized versus contract
- 33% time savings to hit enrollment target
- 62% randomization cost savings
Take a look at what our client from Design Neuroscience Center said:
Case study: Migraine recruitment across four countries
Clariness supported a phase II migraine study (Migraine with aura and Patent Foramen Ovale) conducted across four countries (20 sites) over 30 months, with the goal of increasing patient enrollment through targeted awareness and recruitment strategies. Patient recruitment for the study proved difficult due to protocol complexity and intense competition for eligible participants.
Our approach:
- Clariness launched a localized patient outreach campaign tailored to each participating country and patient population
- To minimize screen failure rate, we implemented a two-level patient pre-qualification process, involving both online and phone-based pre-screening
Our results:
- 168% referrals versus forecast
- Over 200% increase in enrollment rate
- 27% contribution to total randomizations
Why sponsors choose Clariness for Neurology clinical trials
Neurology and neuropsychiatry studies often involve complex recruitment challenges, including difficult-to-identify patient populations, high screen-failure rates, caregiver involvement, and increasingly decentralized study models.
With more than 20 years of neuroscience recruitment experience, Clariness supports sponsors with patient-centered recruitment strategies designed to improve referral quality, reduce site burden, and accelerate enrollment timelines.
Our neurology experience includes:
- 50+ international studies supported from Phase I-IV
- 5,000+ patients randomized globally
- 1,300+ neuroscience patients surveyed on trial diversity barriers
- Experience across 9 neurological and neuropsychiatric indications, including Alzheimer’s disease, Migraine, DSPN, MDD, and Schizophrenia
By combining targeted patient outreach, protocol-specific pre-screening, digital engagement strategies, and close site collaboration, Clariness helps sponsors navigate the complexity of neurological clinical trials while delivering measurable recruitment outcomes.
Advancing awareness through action
International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases reminds us that patients living with neurological disorders continue to face uncertainty, delayed diagnosis, and limited treatment options.
Clinical research is essential to changing that reality.
For sponsors, accelerating neurological innovation begins with connecting the right patients to the right studies, efficiently, ethically, and compassionately. At Clariness, we are proud to support sponsors in advancing neurological research through patient-centered recruitment solutions.
Ready to strengthen recruitment for your next neurology study?
Author: Mercy Hapsiba, Content Marketing Specialist | Post Date: 12.05.2026