Discovery of the decade? Injection 'could cure Alzheimer's in minutes'
Scientists claim videos are proof of breakthrough
Saturday, 12 April 2008
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An injection that dramatically relieved the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease within minutes would qualify as the discovery of the decade. That is exactly what was claimed yesterday for an experimental treatment being tested in America.
Scientists at the Institute for Neurological Research at the University of California have treated around 50 patients at a private clinic by injecting an anti-arthritic drug, etanercept, into the spinal column in the neck and then tilting the patients to encourage the drug to flow to the brain.
They claim 90 per cent respond to the treatment, usually within minutes, and have released videos of patients to prove it.
In one, a nurse sits down with an 82-year-old patient, Marvin Millar, who frowns and mumbles incoherently as she asks him identify everyday objects such as a bracelet and a pencil, which he is unable to do.
But five minutes after being injected with etanercept – according to the film which was supplied and edited by the clinic – he greets his wife. Visibly shocked, she says he has not recognised her for years. Mr Miller then hugs her.
In a separate interview, also supplied by the clinic, she describes his improvements four weeks later, saying he makes sense 90 per cent of the time now, compared with none of the time before treatment started.
After the BBC reported the claims yesterday, callers jammed the Alzheimer's Society's helpline demanding details of the treatment.
Experts urged caution, warning that the drug had been tried on only a very few patients and, crucially, had not been tested against a placebo in a randomised controlled trial.
Etanercept is not a new drug, but this is a novel use of it. The California researchers injected it between the cervical vertebrae at the back of the neck, just below the skull, directly into the spinal column. Tilting is thought to encourage the drug to cross the blood-brain barrier. In arthritis, the drug blocks a chemical – tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) – which causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It is thought TNF may also influence inflammation in the brain, and that by damping down the process the drug may preserve brain function.
Professor Edward Tobinick, who is leading the research, said: "What we see is an improvement in ability to think and calculate, memory improves, verbal ability improves, [patients] find words easier, they seem happier and we often also see an improvement in gait in patients whose gait is affected."
The researchers said improvement usually continued with weekly injections until it reached a plateau at about three months. Some patients had been taking it for three years. But they have only published details of 15 patients in a pilot study.
An estimated 400,000 people suffer from Alzheim-er's disease in the UK and claims for new treatments are seized upon by relatives, desperate for any straw to clutch. Suzanne Sorenson, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said she had been sceptical of the claims when she heard about them in January but having seen the film foot-age, considered it was now time to run a trial.
"On the surface these results are exciting but we need to treat the study with caution," she said. "There are large gaps in the resear-ch, which used a small pilot group. We cannot draw conclusions until a controlled trial is carried out."
Clive Holmes, professor of biological psychiatry at Southampton University, a centre for research on dementia, said he was prepared to test the drug.
"The evidence from basic science suggests it is worth giving these drugs a trial to see if there is evidence on a larger basis," he said.
The elusive search for a cure
*A hundred years after Alzheimer's disease was discovered, a cure for the progressive neurodegenerative condition remains a distant dream. Despite dramatic breakthroughsin other areas, there has been little to celebrate in Alzheimer's. The main advance has been drugs to control symptoms such as agitation and restlessness. But restoring memory and cognitive ability has proved much harder.
The condition is caused by an accumulation of protein deposits in the brain which produce the symptoms of dementia.
There are three drugs with claims to halt the disease's progression (though not reverse it), Aricept, Reminyl and Exelon. In 2005 their NHS use was restricted to the moderate stage of the disease – as opposed to early or late stages – by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence because of their limited effect.
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my father was recently diagnosed with alzheimers disease .my father has had problems with his health roughly over the past ten years to include heart trouble and prostrate cancer ,he is a real fighter and has fought bravely against these illnesses but the recent diagnoses of alzheimers seems to be a bridge to far .if there is anyone out there with any information were my father can take part in any trials or studies we would be ever so greatfull if someone could contact us .thank you verymuch.
Posted by colin arbuthnot | 18.05.09, 02:01 GMT
I would like to be kept abreast of this study as my mother is 87 and also has alzheimer's disease. She knows me but that is about it. She cannot speak in sentences or speak in any manner that makes sense. She seems to just grab words and put them together. If there is a chance that she could be part of this study or if you are looking for people in certain areas, please let me know. I truely appreciate whatever info you could pass along on this debilitating disease. thank You
Posted by Robin Santangelo | 04.02.09, 23:51 GMT
My husbands mother is sufferinf from this devastating disease and her condition is advanced. I am interested in this trial. Please can you send me more information about how we can enroll her.
Thanks
Fran
Posted by Fran | 31.12.08, 03:42 GMT
The 3 drugs you mention (Aricept, Reminyl and Exelon) are not claimed to halt the disease. The claim is to slow the progression of Alzheimer's in most cases.
I get an email everyday from Google using Google Alert with the word Alzheimer's. I recommend it. Alas, there is little good news.
I urge everone to pressure their MP and EMP for greater expenditure on research and care.
Posted by Bernard Burton | 11.11.08, 11:38 GMT
My father is suffering from this devestating disease, and it has been progressing quite rapidly. We are intersted in this trial. Please send more information about how we can enroll him .
Thank you
Safwa
Posted by safwa osman | 28.10.08, 14:42 GMT
Just read 'comments'. A short while ago a TV programme mentioned Newcastle Uni reasearch by a Professor conducting trials and seeeking many more people prepared to have tests carried out on them. Obviously half will only be on a placebo but if interested I suggest you contact the University.
Also interesting that America who produces Aricept state that it should be used at the first signs of Alzheimers. Read my previous submission and the American submissions to the article.
Posted by Reg Weaver | 19.10.08, 12:37 GMT
I believe the truth is that the Government has restricted the use of Aricept, Reminyl and Exelon due to the high cost only and no other reason. We know of some one who paid for 'the drug' from a very early diagonsies and died only last year aged 89 from a heart attack. Her alzheimers did not worsen for the whole time she was taking the drug but it did cost her thousands of pounds every year. This government can find billions of pounds for wars and to allow obscene bonuses to be paid to the rich bankers and financial traders, and even company Directors who make a loss for their companies so why can't they find a modest sum per annum for such health issues? After all they find ridiculous ammounts for M.P's refurbishments and 'second homes'
Posted by Reg Weaver | 19.10.08, 12:05 GMT
Google search on "etanercept alzheimer's" found 54,100 hits.
Probably should not expect anyone to answer your postings. Read everything. Print it out
and confront your doctor.
The drug has been used for arthritis for many years, not that
hard to come by if you know who to talk to. Getting someone
to inject it into the spine, now that is the hard part. I can
possibly imagine this evolving into something like the
illegal abortion industry of 50 years ago.
Good luck to all.
Posted by Zorro | 13.10.08, 05:02 GMT
This should be rolled out as soon as posible, l cannot think of a single sufferer who has anything to lose as Alzheimers is a slow train to death.
Posted by colin syme | 12.10.08, 18:55 GMT
My dad is suffering from this illness and I would like to know where and how we can get involved in this trial. Please Please reply.
Posted by Mack | 04.10.08, 03:20 GMT
Is it true that early onset of alzheimer's is the prelude to quick mental deterioration and an untimely death? My best friend, who is 50, was diagnosed last year. I see the early stages changes of the illness in her. How does she get to participate in a clinical trial? Who should we contact? I'd appreciate any help, any information. This is such a cruel disease and there is so much urgency in getting treatment for it. At this point, my friend does not recognize that. thank you.
Posted by m sheldon | 25.07.08, 07:40 GMT
My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimers 3years ago and his deterioation has been rapid, I was told the younger they are the quicker the disease takes a hold, he was 58. I would be very keen to receive any information about this new treatment as the specialist who see's my husband has no knowledge about it
Pani Anderson
Posted by Pani | 21.07.08, 01:15 GMT
My brother has Alzheimer's disease and it seemed to come on quite quickly.I would be very interesed on any information that you can supply to me please as the doctors and the specalist that my brother sees do not know any thing about this cure.
Ken Anderson
Posted by Ken Anderson | 18.07.08, 22:06 GMT