New hope for Alzheimer's cure
2005-04-22 14:04
Chicago - Researchers in Chicago have conducted experiments that they say could lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Recent experiments with mice have been successful in both preventing and reversing the development of Alzheimer's plaque in the brain, lead researcher Terry Lichtor said.
"I think this is a very potent treatment for Alzheimer's," Lichtor, who is an associate professor at Rush University Medical Centre, said after he presented his paper to the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Lichtor's group has found that by injecting the brains of mice with antibodies they could prevent the early onset of Alzheimer's. His most recent study looked at the impact of injections on mice in the later stages of Alzheimer's.
'It's a pretty good start'
"In this study I showed I could reverse it quite dramatically," he said. "We got about a 70% plaque reduction. Is that enough to cure them? It's a pretty good start."
Lichtor said he is now ready to begin the application process to launch a clinical trial. Should the clinical trial be successful, the treatment could become widely available within four to five years.
Around 4.5 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer's. By 2050, 16 million Americans are expected to suffer from the progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to communicate and carry out daily activities.
The experiment improves upon earlier studies which had to be halted during clinical trials because patients developed inflammations in their blood vessels.
By injecting antibodies directly into the brain, Lichtor said his group was able to avoid inflammation.