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Alzheimer's Treatment Mooted

Posted by timothy on from the important-progress dept.

aminorex writes "Enbrel (etanercept) has been immediately, markedly, and consistently effective in all Alzheimer's patients, according to a report in Science Daily. The original research article is available online at the Journal of Neuroinflammation web site. "We can see cognitive and behavioral improvement in a patient with established dementia within minutes of therapeutic intervention" comments one Journal editor." "All Alzheimer's patients" may be over-optimistic, but according to the article, though the research it concerns has been heavily focused on a single patient, "many other patients with mild to severe Alzheimer's received the treatment and all have shown sustained and marked improvement."

2 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. actually, they do by BitterAndDrunk · · Score: 5, Informative
    But it's an annoying fucking word, because its two meanings are actually opposite of one another:

    1. To bring up as a subject for discussion or debate.

    2. Of no practical importance; irrelevant.

    Very obnoxious word that way.

    --
    You better watch out, there may be dogs about . . .
  2. Re:How about a study with n1? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Also, this is a widely prescribed drug! It seems unlikely that it has massive, instantaneous effects on cognitive function that no one has noticed before.

    I know it's wrong to read the article, but to work on Alzheimer's, the drug was injected into the spine. This is definitely an off-label use. Most likely, it doesn't cross the blood brain barrier. If this works, it might be possible to make a similar drug which can cross it.