Slowing progression: New hope for Alzheimer’s patients

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They can be used to positively influence pathological processes in the brains of affected individuals and thus slow the progression of the disease. As said at a press conference in Vienna on Monday, the relevant active ingredient is currently being tested.

“Despite intense efforts and global research activities, 99 percent of all Alzheimer’s research has yielded negative results,” said neurologist Andreas Winkler, vice president of “Alzheimer Austria” and head of the Neuromed research institute. But a new form of treatment may change this: These involve protein infusions that target the amyloid deposits in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and can slow the progression of the disease.

“Advance,” an international clinical phase II Alzheimer’s study with the lead active ingredient AD04, is one such form of therapy. As Achim Schneeberger, medical director of biotechnology company Advantage Therapeutics, explains, the new therapy modulates immune system reactions, especially those in the brain, which can positively affect patients’ pathological processes.

122 patients will be included in the study and each will receive treatment for twelve months. Participants have access to current standard treatment in addition to the study drug. «Our short-term goal is to confirm the AD04 effect through the ‘Further’ study. If this is successful, patients will have a safe, easy-to-administer and cost-effective medicine that will slow the progression of their disease,” Schneeberger said.

At the press conference held on Thursday to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, they also called for open dialogue to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease. “Dementia and Alzheimer’s are still associated with taboos and need a new, more positive image in our society,” said Antonia Croy, President of the association “Alzheimer Austria”. (SDA)

Source : Blick