psychology
march 2015
image sources
Alz.org
Kurzweilai.net
LegionofFleia.com
HomeHelpers.com
17
Some researchers are not very excited about this treatment, criticizing that it would take years for the treatments to be scaled up for human since it requires much stronger energy that could cause unwanted tissue damage. They are more excited for other drug-based treatments such as the one made recently by an american company called Biogen Idec. The new drug created by Biogen significantly slows cognitive decline and reductions in levels of the amyloid plaques in the brain associated with Alzheimer's. Even though the test was done on a small-scale, the results were impressive.
According to CNBC, The drug showed a 71% reduction on the highest dose. Analysts said they were looking for 20 percent to 30 percent reductions to qualify as a success. "This is the first time an investigational drug for Alzheimer's disease has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction on amyloid plaque as well as a
statistically significant slowing of clinical impairment in patients with prodromal or mild disease," Biogen
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Al Sandrock said. He also announced that Biogen is planning to begin a late-stage study later this year of aducanumab that will include more than 1,000 patients.
"The human studies (by Biogen) excite me more because this brings us closer to clinical application," Dr. Scott Turner said in a recent interview with ABC. "The new amyloid antibody announced today (the Biogen drug) showed very promising results in removing amyloid from the brain and also in preserving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease."
However, Turner, the director of the Memory Disorders Program at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, is also very hopeful for the ultrasound approach because it could be used in combination with the drug. We probably won’t be seeing these treatments until more testings are done. However, these new treatments could also mean getting closer to finding solutions for treating other brain diseases.
sources
Mayo Clinic
Wjla.com
Alz.org
CNBC.com
ScienceAlert.com
Kurzweilai.om