fixaging

A new study has been published which documents an impressive improvement in Alzheimer’s disease by administering the drug Etanercept (trade name Enbrel). This follows from another study conducted in 2006 mentioned below.

The study identifies the importance of cytokines in the Alzheimer’s disease. One of these cytokines called tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is implicated. It is a critical component on the brains immune system. Its standard role is to regulate the transmission of impulse in the brain. However in Alzheimer’s patients there are elevated levels of TNF, and this interferes with the regulation. The authors of the paper postulated that reducing the level of TNF would reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s patients. So they gave patients an injection of an anti-TNF therapeutic drug called Etanercept.

The effects on the Alzheimer’s patient documented were dramatic and unprecedented; with improvements within minutes, following the injection of Etanercept to the spine. Previous to the dosage of the drug the patient could not perform simple mental addition, or recall more than 2 animals. 10 minutes after the dose of the drug, the patient was noticeably calmer, less frustrated and attentive. He knew the day of the week and month and that he was living California, he could name five animals, and his performance improved on arithmetic tests.

While the study discusses one patient, previous studies have indicated improvements also. A study done in 2006, called TNF-alpha Modulation for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: A 6-Month Pilot Study showed significant improvement with treatment as measured by primary efficacy variables through the 6 months of the treatment.

However Etanercept may reduce the response of the immune system. The most common side effects of this drug are mild to moderate itching, swelling, pain and redness at the injection side. Also headache, dizziness , nasal and throat irritation may also occur. Look at the main site for Etanercept (Enbrel) for the full list.

Also one open question is what is causing the elevated levels of TNF? TNF may not be the root cause of the problem and if so the effect on the patient may only be temporary.

As Etanercept is already approved as a drug for rheumatoid arthritis it has passed through the regulatory hurdles which make the time to general availability so long. This means that this therapy could potentially be available in the very near future. Also the fact that this drug is still under patent would give Amgen and Wyetha a huge incentive to fund studies which would speed the progress of this to be an acceptable treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Tags: Alzheimer's //