There was an article in todays paper about a drug called Rember. The heading was Magic Pill for Alzheimer's. It said that this will be a new break through drug to slow Alzheimers. Research remains ongoing to investigate methods of early stage diagnosis and to determine when the tangles are first formed in the brain, perhaps when people are still in their 50s. The drug is still in the trial stages but it might become available by perscription. The results of the study were presented at the International Conference on Alzheimers in Chicago, Ill. and have been touted as the most realistic evidence that a new drug can improve cognition in people with the disease. Ever hear of it? I often think about looking into signing DH for trial studies. Has anyone done that?
My Neurologist was a panelist (annual) at the International Conference on Alzheimers, and a few years ago, she told us that a gentleman from Great Britain presented what he called a miracle drug for Alzheimer's. After presentation, the drug was reviewed and a concensus was presented. His drug was a basic decongestant, and later it was determined he was a major stockholder in the company that made the drug. She was furious that he had been allowed to waste their time and that of the chemists/researchers who broke the drug down to determine what it contained.
I'm praying every night for a cure, but be careful, very careful. Mag, many factors go into deciding who is included in these trials and who is not. My husband was in perfect health, but beyond the age limit. Many on this site have been involved in drug trials, even Joan's Sid, if I am not mistaken.
What worries me is the 50% of participants of those in the trials who are on placebos. They're off other drugs and during the trials, get nothing but sugar pills. scary! ..........but don't listen to me. If there is a chance it might help ... go for it. Otherwise, there is NO chance of recovery, as we all know.
I've pulled up the thread on clinical trials. FYI- my husband has been in the Bap study for almost three years and is now on the real drug. I can't complain on his condition since he is highly funtioning and still in stage three. I think it has helped him, but of course time will tell.
Nancy is correct in warning about people giving presentations who are large share holders. If I recall Rember study was conducted by the owner of the company who interpertated the results.
In my opinion once diagnosed they are on a downward path- if you have the time I would strongly encourage entering into a study for Alzheimer's disease. The only way were are ever going to beat this is through testing and finding something that works. Most trials allow you to be on the current AD meds with the exception of Dimebon which was later discontinued.
I believe Rember has been replace by the manufacturer with LMTX, which supposedly is preapring for Phase III trials. See here : http://www.biospace.com/news_story.aspx?StoryID=205462&full=1
Rember trials were in Singapore and Scotland.
I've got to run, but will post later regarding warning against believing these type of press releases...
This is not in reference to Rember, but to magic pills in general. In my 2 years of research (I am the queen of research – some silly part of my brain thinks I can research my husband out of his condition – denial much?), I have seen many magic pill articles, magic discovery that will lead to a magic pill articles, etc. I have found that most of these are pumped by companies trying to get research dollars, and are wildly exaggerated.
To give you an example, a few weeks ago there was a press release for the magic pill Bryostatin. There claim: “"This study found that treatments that target the loss of synapses in the Alzheimer's brain, can virtually eliminate all other elements of the disease – elevation of the toxic protein, A Beta, the loss of neurons, the appearance of plaques, and loss of cognitive function; the animals' brains were normalized." That would be a magic pill indeed! Here is their press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-blanchette-rockefeller-neurosciences-institute-identifies-groundbreaking-new-therapies-for-prevention-and-treatment-of-alzheimers-disease-113303809.html
So I researched and found an almost identical article dated April 2009: http://www.news-medical.net/news/2009/04/22/48710.aspx
Hmmmmm. If this was approved 2 years ago for Phase II trials why do we have a “news” release about it now being approved for phase II trials.
So I wrote the company and asked. Here is their response: “HI Mary,
We have been unable to begin clinical trials due to red tape and funding issues.
Unfortunately, we do not keep lists for clinical trials or treat patients on-site. BRNI is strictly a research facility dedicated to the study of memory and finding solutions to memory disorders.
If you are interested in finding an available trial, we are directing families to the Alzheimer’s Association’s new initiative, TrialMatch.
TrialMatch is a free service that makes it easy for people with Alzheimer's, caregivers, families and physicians to locate clinical trials based on personal criteria (diagnosis, stage of disease) and location
You may register online at www.alz.org to find a trial that’s tailor to your loved one or you may call the 24/7 hotline at 800-272-3900. Thank you so much for your interest in BRNI.”
I refrained from writing back to let them know what I thought of their devious press release. But this should give you an idea of how realistic the magic pills are...