Posted on 01/10/2008 5:30:00 AM PST by Libloather
Drug 'can reverse Alzheimer's symptoms in minutes'
Last updated at 13:07pm on 10.01.08
A drug used for arthritis can reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's "in minutes".
It appears to tackle one of the main features of the disease - inflammation in the brain.
The drug, called Enbrel, is injected into the spine where it blocks a chemical responsible for damaging the brain and other organs.
A pilot study carried out by U.S. researchers found one patient had his symptoms reversed "in minutes".
Other patients have shown some improvements in symptoms such as forgetfulness and confusion after weekly injections over six months.
The study of 15 patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's has just been published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation by online publishers Biomed Central.
The experiment showed that Enbrel can deactivate TNF (tumour necrosis factor) - a chemical in the fluid surrounding the brain that is found in Alzheimer's sufferers.
When used by arthritis sufferers, the drug is self-administered by injection and researchers had to develop a way of injecting it into the spine to affect the brain cells.
Sue Griffin, a researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said: 'It is unprecedented to see cognitive and behavioural improvement in a patient with established dementia within minutes of therapeutic intervention.
'This gives all of us in Alzheimer research a tremendous new clue about new avenues of research.' Enbrel is not approved for treating Alzheimer's in the U.S. or the UK and is regarded as highly experimental, said Dr Griffin.
'Even though this report predominantly discusses a single patient it is of significant scientific interest because of the potential insight it may give into the processes involved in the brain dysfunction of Alzheimer's,' she added.
Lead author of the study Edward Tobinick, of the University of California and Director of the Institute for Neurological Research, said the drug had 'a very rapid effect that's never been reported in a human being before'.
He added: 'It makes practical changes that are significant and perceptible, making a difference to his daily living.
'Some patients have been able to start driving again. They don't come back to normal but the change is good enough for patients to want to continue treatment.'
He said top-up injections were necessary but some patients had them a month apart.
Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, affecting more than 700,000 Britons with about 500 cases diagnosed every day.
Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society charity, said: 'The pursuit of a miracle cure for Alzheimer's continues to drive research into a variety of potential treatment targets.
These include a possible link between inflammatory reactions in the brain and Alzheimer's.'
Children exposed to lead in old paint, Victorian pipes and toys could be at risk of Alzheimer's later in life, scientists said yesterday.
A study shows that even small amounts of the metal in the first few years can build up plaques around the brain.
Scientists at the University of Rhode Island told the New Scientist that they fed infant formula milk laced with low doses of lead to baby monkeys, then followed their progress for 23 years. A post mortem of the brains revealed plaques - harmful deposits of protein found in Alzheimer's patients.
One just has to remember where the pills are( what pills?) and to take them( I took them....didn’t I). I may be making light of this, but I suffer from a mild case myself.
W-w-w-weekly injections in the spine?
So, if this does work, with the FDA process it will be available sometime in 2040?
ping
The US pharmaceutical industry developed this miracle, not the John Edwards, Hillary Clintons, or other crooks.
Remeber this next time the democrats discuss destroying US Pharma.
But if it costs too much, they will be happy to take credit for forcing the company to give it away, “for the seniors”.
Anyway, good news if it pans out.
Maybe I’m biased. My mother had one spinal injection 14 years ago, had six months of constant intense pain thereafter and now can’t stand up without a brace and crutches.
Sounds good. But the typcial pharmaceutical marketing blitz won’t work since the people that need it won’t remember the commercial.
Enbrel is quite expensive. On the order of around $1500 per month for the arthritis dose (if memory serves correctly).
If it works, it's worth it; if not, you won't remember it.
Sounds promising. I know someone who is already beyond help and she is only in her early 60’s.
Wonder if they’ve looked at the effect on MS spinal lesions??
My rheumatologist recommended Enbrel to me to treat AS (ankylosing spondylitis). I declined due to cost, $1200/month, self injecting (I’m chicken about needles), and possible side effects, cancer & TB among others.
One just has to remember where the pills are( what pills?) and to take them( I took them....didn’t I). I may be making light of this, but I suffer from a mild case myself.
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Actually this is a BIG problem. My father gets his medication (Alzheimers and Parkinsons) in a bubble pack so all he does is pop them out morning, noon and night.
It ain't worth it if you can't walk or stand up unassisted! (For the record, I've lived with two Alzheimer's victims, and I think I know what hell on earth is.)
health news
OK, when this gets into mister-form, I am signing up. Surely it will help with negative exponents and other algebraic fooferaw.
“I’m currently undergoing weekly injections in the spine for a back problem, and it’s really not a big deal.”
“They also have a TV screen where you can watch the X-Ray of the process as he’s doing it. Pretty Kewl!”
Thank you for sharing this with us, because the thought of having shots in the spine WEEKLY is pretty scary. I’m going to have to look into this for my Dad.
Thanks again :D
Depending on dosage, an implanted pump might be a good way to administer this drug.
This is very good news indeed, even if this particular drug causes unacceptable side effects over the long term, because it provides new insight into the disease.
If a person only needed one shot a month in order to reverse the awful effects of Alzheimer's, you'd have families pooling their resources to help their Mom or Dad. I know our family would have. if that had been available for our Mom.
*snort* Too true! When we had to face the decision to put our Mom in a nursing home, because she absolutely REFUSED to live with any of her 8 children, and the caregiver who'd been living with her for the previous two years couldn't do it anymore, my sister was feeling really depressed by it. Her son told her, "Cheer up, Mom, this way, Mimi will meet new friends every day, because she won't have remembered them from the day before." ;o)
Me too. I guess to keep what little brain I have, I would do the injections for that also.
Correct. The apprehension is 100% worse than the procedure. I’ve had 3 rounds of 3 injections per round in the L4 L5 areas of the lower spine and the sciatica nerve and there’s really nothing to it.
Let’s hear John McCain grandstand about the evil pharma companies again.
I would for my Mom... she is declining rapidly.
FDA approval is a strange thing. If a person understands the risks and is willing to take those risks, why withold something with this much promise?
Sure are a lot of us out here I guess,....in a similar situation with a parent...... Each day, when we visit, Mom asks-- Who is taking care of the baby?-----The baby is 35 years old....sad...
Two of Britain's leading biomedical researchers have received the prestigious 2003 Albert Lasker Award for Clinical Medical Research for their discovery of anti-TNF (tumour necrosis factor) treatment as an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and other related diseases.
The environment is key. An Alzheimer's patient should be treated -- and I don't mean to rob them of their adulthood or strip them of their dignity -- like the most pampered child you can imagine. Let them live out their remaining days with as much comfort and happiness as possible. Don't get huffy if they recognize your face and know you as some friendly, but don't remember who you are. Don't try to enforce rules or exercise discipline. Just let them be, with the help and support they need.
Anecdote the first: When Maureen Reagan died, her father was never told. Ronald Reagan's Alzheimer's was sufficiently advanced that he might or might not have remembered who she was, If he did, it would cause him pain. Over and over again, every time he happened to remember or someone mentioned it. I believe in honesty as a general rule, but sometimes it can do no good and only harm.
Anecdote the second: Sandra Day O'Connor's husband is in an assisted iving home ,where he has a girlfriend. It's puppy-love. He's forgotten all the love and loss in his 80-some years, and is feeling the rush of a new love once again. Justice O'Connor allowed her son to go public with this, as the spokesman for the familyto enhance public awareness of Alzheimer's and how to handle it, and I salute that decision.
In her heart of hearts, I'm sure there's a little sting, but it is not a betrayal. He is no longer the man she married, and who can begrudge a little happiness as the curtain falls?
Her son told her, "Cheer up, Mom, this way, Mimi will meet new friends every day, because she won't have remembered them from the day before."
Exactly. I had a friend whose grandma had to be put in an assisted living home; her kids all lived far away and had families of their own to care for. There is a terrible guilt associated with that decision -- like you're pawning off the woman who raised you on someone else. But, as it turns out, Grandma loved it -- she no longer had to cook or clean, or run errands. Everything came to her. To her mind, it was like she got to live out the rest of her life at Club Med.
In the normal world, Alzheimer's patients tend to get paranoid and have mood swings. Anyone reacts that way when they do not, and feel that they should, know what the hell is going on and who all these people are. It all comes down to environment -- somewhere where they are universally loved and cared for, complete acceptance and incomplete candor. Is that patronizing? Probably. But it's what they need.
Absolutely - my grandpa is in the middle stages of Alzheimers, currently in assisted living. Over the past two years he has lost all memory of almost everyone in his life, including myself, and wow, does that suck. Thankfully he still knows my parents and his two other daughters but who knows for how long. His short term memory is completely gone - doesn’t last more than a minute or two. Articles like this break my heart and give me great comfort at the same time - I’m sad because he’ll miss great breakthroughs in science, but hopefully the next generation might not have to go through this kind of thing. It’s lousy to watch, and no doubt terrifying to experience.
Thank you.
I think the courts have thrown out waivers in many cases. Not just in medicine but lots of areas.
The courts regard citizens as permanent children who cannot meaningly consent to waive liability claims.
I think.
This retards progress and increases cost, but "protects" citizens from bad decisions they might make.
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