Early tests for drug to treat Alzheimer's disease show promise
Aging seniors on a budget can save money on both prescription and over-the-counter medications by shopping at Canadian online pharmacies, which sell many name-brand products available in the U.S. at a fraction of the price.
Aging seniors on a budget can save money on both prescription and over-the-counter medications by shopping at Canadian online pharmacies, which sell many name-brand products available in the U.S. at a fraction of the price. Scientific research is constantly finding new ways to improve the quality of life for older patients, including a new study to eliminate the plaques that cause Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides leads to the formation of the plaques in the brain that cause AD's characteristic cognitive disabilities, according to researchers from Switzerland. The team decided to test the effects of gantenerumab, an antibody that helps the body get rid of these plaques.
For their study, the scientists enrolled patients who had mild to moderate symptoms of AD. Participants were divided into two groups; one included patients receiving different numbers of doses of gantenerumab, while the other had placebos. Results showed that patients taking the medication had fewer plaques. Furthermore, the effect got stronger with increasing doses. Those on placebos, however, had a greater amount of plaques in their brain, as reported in Archives of Neurology.
"It is still unclear whether any reduction in brain amyloid level will translate into clinical efficacy. A phase two clinical trial is under way to investigate whether a clinical benefit can be achieved in gantenerumab-treated patients with prodromal [early symptoms] AD," the researchers said.
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