Jul 22, 2008 2:00 pm US/Mountain
New Alzheimer's Vaccine Shows Promise
BOSTON (CBS) ―
It's estimated some five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. That number is expected to rise in the coming years as our population ages. Scientists around the world are trying to develop drugs to combat the illness and now a new vaccine is showing some benefit.
Alzheimer's disease is robbing Bonnie Lowe of her memories. But the 89-year-old is not giving up, reports CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston.
"I want to be like I used to be," Lowe said.
She's joined a new study, and will soon start taking an experimental drug called bapineuzumab. It's basically an Alzheimer's vaccine.
According to Dr. Sean Kenniff, the only way to treat Alzheimer's currently is by using memory boosting medications. But unfortunately the drugs don't do anything to correct the underlying cause of the disease. That's what this new vaccine type therapy hopes to do.
"It's a whole new world of treatment. It's a whole new avenue of treatment," said Dr. Bruce Kohrman, who is studying the drug.
During Alzheimer's there is a build-up of protein plaque around the neurons ot the brain. It's believed this is what disrupts brain function.
The new drug triggers the body's own immune system to dissolve those plaques away.
In early studies some patients given the drug had improved memory and better concentration.
"The results of the phase two trial are exciting, and they're encouraging,"
Kohrman said.
Now doctors will start testing bapineuzumab on a much larger group of patients to see if the promising results hold up.
"It's wonderful if I can get any help with my memory. I really appreciate that," Lowe said.
A recent study in Britain of a similar Alzheimer's vaccine did not show much benefit in patients with the disease, but it's hoped that bapineuzumab will prove more effective.
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