Experimental Alzheimer's drug Gammagard may stall memory decline, small study suggests

Boxes of Gammagard, a treatement that is being tested for Alzheimer's disease, in the home of a patient in New York.

/ AP

(CBS/AP) Researchers are reporting for the first time that a treatment might help prevent Alzheimer's disease from getting worse for as much as three years, but caution that evidence is preliminary and the effect has been seen in a very small amount of patients.

The treatment is Gammagard, made by Baxter International Inc. Doctors say that four patients who received the highest dose in early testing showed no decline on memory and cognition tests three years later. A bigger, more comprehensive study of the treatment will give results within a year.

Watch: Fighting Alzheimer's with early detection
Slowed walking speed may be early predictor of Alzheimer's decline
Genetic mutation may protect against Alzheimer's, scientists find

The drug is a collection of antibodies from pooled blood donations given as infusions every two weeks. These antibodies may help clear the sticky plaque that clogs patients' brains.

The results were presented Tuesday at an Alzheimer's conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

"Fortunately, improving detection technologies and updated diagnostic guidelines are enabling the detection of early changes in the brain and subtle cognitive deficits that are consistent with what is now known as presymptomatic (or preclinical) Alzheimer's," Dr. William Thies, Alzheimer's Association chief medical and scientific officer said in a written statement. "People in this stage of the disease are an ideal population for prevention trials to delay the onset or slow the progression of cognitive decline."

For the study, 24 patients received six months of treatment followed by 12-months of treatment with Gammagard, tested in several doses. Patients were also offered an additional 18-months of a standardized dose of Gammagard treatment to test the drug's long-term effects.

The researchers found that four patients who took the standardized dose of the drug for the 36 months reported the best outcomes, with no measurable declines in cognition, memory, daily functioning and mood. Eleven patients who took the drug for 36 months had "favorable" effects on their thinking abilities, behavior and daily function. Five of the patients who were initially treated with a placebo were switched to the drug experienced a less rapid cognitive decline.

"This is the first study to report long term stabilization of Alzheimer's symptoms with IVIG," study author Dr. Normal Relkin, an associate professor of clinical neurology and neuorscience at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, said in a statement. "While the small number of participants may limit the reliability of our findings, we are very enthusiastic about the results."

The treatment may also be costly. Relkin told HealthDay that treating a patient with Alzheimer's using this drug would likely cost between $2,000 and $5,000 every two weeks, with higher doses requiring higher costs.

[JJohnson40]

Drug treatment is the first step toward improving the lives of those afflicted with this disease. To find out how home care can also aid in this endeavor, watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y50zVD-7RsE&feature=share

[MomHasHope]

My mom was in a phase three clinical trial to test the effectiveness of Gamma Globulin (Gammagard). Even though it was a blind study, it was easy to see she was getting the actual infusion of GammaGlobulin. After the trial she was in had concluded, Mom's symptoms began to return. For over a year, I tried to find a way to get Baxter International to give the treatment on a continuous basis to former trial participants. I started a Facebook cause page to gather names to petition Baxter as I continued to watch mom regress. I contacted Senators for help. Finally, I found my Knight in shining armor. Senator John Rockefeller jumped on board and with the help of his staff, convinced Baxter to use the treatment for all trial participants. I received a certified letter from Baxter saying mom will be able to get the infusions again sometime around July 2012. July is here and I am waiting patiently. I have created a website to promote a cure now, not in 2025 as our government seems to suggest. Please check it out and help me fight for a cure now at www.alzheimershopefoundation.com. Thank you so much for covering this story.

[MissMommaLynn]

Cannabis also helps to slow the progression of Alzheimer's...but the gvernment won't allow studies on this...WHY YOU ASK??? Because it is cheap to grow and about anyone can grow it! There is no big profits from something that you can grow in your own backyard, now is there! Sad but true! Do some research, people then ask your government WHY!!!!!

[ultraskygod]

Money is why

[rcm59]

I found it interesting when I saw the drug they were using. I have thrombocytopenia (an idiopathic auto immune disease resulting in low platelets) and cannot undergo surgery without going through a 2 day infusion of IGG or gamma globulin. The cost is so high they refer to the product as liquid gold. For me it is like gold when it comes to needing surgery.

[johntate777]

I really hope this works out and the price comes down. Alzheimers is such a horrible disease. Based on the stated figures, three years of treatment would run $156,000 to $390,000. It also states higher doses would cost even more.

[baileycccc]

Every drug that has come out for Alzheimer's has been a dismal failure and very expensive. This drug will follow suit.

[askagain]

Finding a cure and or prevention for Alzheimer's is elusive. Sooner or later, scientists will hit upon the right things. That has happened with diseases that we no longer hear about.

[baileycccc]

Every drug that has come out for Alzheimer's has been a dismal failure and very expensive. This drug will follow suit.

[tpcast]

Because of that cost the insurance companies are likely to want to let the patient slowing die because the CEO and share holders will not be able to buy another Mercedes.