ATLANTA — Emory University is participating in a nationwide study on the effectiveness of gene therapy to treat patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Emory is one of 12 institutions looking into the experimental medication, CERE-110.
The University is looking for 50 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease to participate in phase 2 of the study.
Scientists already have studied the effects of CERE-100 in animals. It appears to start the long-term production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) by brain cells. Nerve Growth Factor is a naturally occurring protein that helps nerve cells, or neurons, survive in the brain.
"Since NGF supports the survival and function of the neurons that deteriorate in people with Alzheimer's disease, we hope to slow the worsening of their symptoms with this new therapy," said neurologist James Lah, who is the lead investigator on the study.
In Phase 2 of the trial, neurologists plant o inject CERE-100 directly into the part of the brain where neuron death occurs in Alzheimer's patients. The medication contains a gene for Nerve Growth Factor. Putting more of the gene into cells helps them make more NGF.
Scientists are moving into phase 2 of the trials after completing a successful first phase. During those trials, researchers say participants found the treatment to be generally safe and well tolerated. They gave 10 patients cognitive testing, measures of daily activity and MRI and PET scans. After six and 12 months, they found increases in brain metabolism in several regions of the brains of some participants. Doctors are following-up with the patients who received CERE-100, and so far, have not found any obvious side effects.
For more information, go to http://www.adcs.org/Studies/NGF.aspx
WSBTV
