Video released of rapid Alzheimer's improvement after new immune-based treatment

July 21, 2008

New research into the treatment of Alzheimer's disease reports improvement in language abilities using a novel immune-based approach. A video accompanying the research, published today in the open access journal BMC Neurology, documents rapid language improvement within minutes of using this new treatment.

Building on previous work by the same authors, published in BioMed Central's Journal of Neuroinflammation, this study focuses on the effect of the anti-tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-alpha) drug, etanercept, on measures of verbal ability.

TNF-alpha, a critical component of the brain's immune system, normally finely regulates the transmission of neural impulses in the brain. The authors hypothesize that elevated levels of TNF-alpha in Alzheimer's disease interfere with this regulation. To reduce elevated TNF-alpha, the authors utilized a unique perispinal delivery method to administer etanercept.

The new BMC Neurology article provides preliminary evidence that the disrupted neural communication seen in Alzheimer's disease may be reversible.

According to the lead author of the study, Edward Tobinick, "There are limitations to the data presented; the clinical trial was open label, and not controlled. These caveats notwithstanding, the scientific rationale for the further investigation of anti-TNF-alpha treatment of Alzheimer's disease is compelling. In addition, family members, independent neurologists, and other independent observers have confirmed the clinical, cognitive, and behavioral improvement noted".

Disruption of language function, such as the ability to find words, is a common symptom in advancing Alzheimer's disease, and this BMC Neurology article is one of the first to suggest the possibility of a new therapeutic approach that may address these symptoms.

The video is available at: http://w02.biomedcentral.com/download/pr/PPA1280.mov

Article available at journal website: http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcneurol/

Source: BioMed Central

Rate this story - 4.9 /5 (25 votes)

rank
1
2
3
4
5

view popular

Other News

Dreams may have an important physiological function

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

Nov 12, 2009 | 3.9 / 5 (26) | 10

(PhysOrg.com) -- Dreams have long been assumed to have psychological functions such as consolidating emotional memories and processing experiences or problems, but according to a Harvard psychiatrist and sleep ...

Deepening the search for clues to rheumatoid arthritis

Medicine & Health / Genetics

Nov 09, 2009 | 5 / 5 (3) | 10

(PhysOrg.com) -- The gnawing pain of rheumatoid arthritis is a signal that the body’s immune system has hit the wrong target: its own cartilage and bone.

FDA questions safety of alcoholic energy drinks

Medicine & Health / Health

Nov 13, 2009 | 4 / 5 (4) | 7

(AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration is challenging makers of alcohol-infused energy drinks to prove their beverages are safe, citing complaints that the products can cause risky behavior and injury.

China investigates 2 deaths after flu vaccinations

Medicine & Health / Diseases

22 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(AP) -- Two people in China who received swine flu vaccinations died in the past week but at least one death appears unrelated to the vaccine and the other was being investigated.

Review: Reports on Pfizer drug studies misleading

Medicine & Health / Medications

Nov 11, 2009 | 3.8 / 5 (4) | 5

(AP) -- Analysis of a dozen published studies testing possible new uses for a Pfizer Inc. epilepsy drug found that reporting of the results was often fudged, indicating the medicine worked better than internal company documents ...