Clinical Trial Hopes to Stop or Slow Alzheimer's Disease

An upcoming global clinical trial developed by the University of Southern California's Alzheimer's Therapeutic Research Clinic (ACTC) will test methods for altering, preventing, or retarding the progression of Alzheimer's disease in older adults, reports KGTV . "We think attacking amyloid early is the most promising approach," said ACTC Director Paul Aisen. A drug called BAN2401 will be administered intravenously to bind to beta amyloid so the immune system can easily detect and purge it from the brain. An earlier study found BAN2401 removes brain amyloid and may slow cognitive decline. "We think that the most promising approach of all is to take a vigorous attack on amyloid while the brain is still functioning normally," Aisen said. "And we can see amyloid in people many years before they develop the symptoms of Alzheimer's." Screening for study participants is scheduled to begin in May. The project will involve 100 sites worldwide, and the researchers are looking for asymptomatic people older than 50 who have elevated concentrations of amyloid in the brain.