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Protein AN-1792Although not proven, there is a new product in clinical stages that may help put an end to the ravages of Alzheimer's disease. No one is claiming a cure, but the World Alzheimer Congress 2000 seems to have given hope to those who are potential victims of the disease.
In a meeting of that organization held recently in Washington D C, an announcement was issued that a vaccine for the disease has passed one of its many tests. The vaccine, manufactured by Elan Corp., consists of a synthetic form of beta-amyloid protein, a substance that has long been identified as the number one component of the amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer patients. The protein first came to prominence a year ago when Elan published an interesting study in the journal, Nature. Research scientists found that immunization of transgenic mouse models (those are mice that have been genetically engineered to accumulate amyloid in their brains) with the experimental protein, called AN-1792, reduced the existing plaques significantly while preventing the development of further plaque. Initial results of a phase one trial have demonstrated the safety of the vaccine in 24 treated patients afflicted with early Alzheimer's disease. All patients tolerated the experimental vaccine well. Elan plans a second experimental group of 80 patients in another phase one trial, this one in England. If the vaccine continues to prove safe, Elan plans to launch a large scale efficacy trial to determine if the product will retard the progression of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Dale Schenk, Ph.D., vice president of discovery research at Elan, revealed that during the course of research, "we also developed a greater understanding of how the vaccine works to clear plaque out of the brain while preventing additional ones from forming." Researchers explain that the compound leads to an immune response, causing the formation of beta-amyloid antibodies, binding them to amyloid plaques. At the same time, microglial cells (these are neurologic immune components) are activated and begin to engulf the plaques. While plaques have been found in the brains of most Alzheimer patients, it still has not been determined if they are the cause, or result of the disease. "For years, scientists have hypothesized that the presence of amyloid plaques causes cellular death and leads to a decline in a person's cognitive function. Now scientists have an opportunity to test this theory and begin to unlock the mystery behind this devastating disease," said Bill Thies, v.p. of medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimer's Association. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article More Hope for Alzheimer's Patients in Natural Pharmaceuticals is owned by Gerald Eisman. Permission to republish More Hope for Alzheimer's Patients in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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