Alzheimer's therapy significantly reduces dangerous plaques in the brain

New therapy leads to significant decrease of the typical plaques in Alzheimer's
In Germany alone, around 1.5 million people suffer from dementia, most of whom have Alzheimer's disease. Although the neurodegenerative disease is not curable so far, but can be delayed in the initial stage with drugs. According to a study, a new therapy against harmful deposits in the brain could help.

Causes of Alzheimer's still unknown
Researchers worldwide are looking for ways to treat Alzheimer's disease whose exact causes are still unknown. Although alleged successes have been reported time and again, a real breakthrough has not yet been achieved. A possible treatment approach is the reduction of harmful protein deposits in the brain of those affected. Researchers from the USA seem to have come a step further here.

According to US researchers, treatment with the antibody aducanumab in patients with early forms of Alzheimer's disease leads to a significant decrease in beta-amyloid plaques. The reduction of mental abilities slows down, too. (Image: Juan Gärtner / fotolia.com)

Treatment with antibodies
Researchers led by Jeff Sevigny of the US biotechnology company Biogen in the journal Nature report that treatment with the antibody aducanumab in patients with early forms of Alzheimer's disease leads to a significant decrease in beta-amyloid plaques. Also, the reduction of mental abilities has apparently slowed down in the treated patients according to the scientists.

Incurable illness can be delayed
Although Alzheimer's is not curable so far, but can be delayed in the initial stage with drugs. There is also evidence that brain jogging can help prevent Alzheimer's. It was also reported years ago that marijuana can relieve Alzheimer's.

And a recent study by scientists at California's Salk Institute for Biological Studies also points out that cannabis can at least delay the development of Alzheimer's disease. The new findings of the biotechnology company could also help millions of affected people to be helped.

No plaques detectable after one year
In the study, 165 patients with mild Alzheimer's symptoms and proven amyloid deposits in the brain were treated. Patients were given an aducanumab injection once a month for one year.

As the researchers reported, the therapy caused the amyloid deposits to disappear in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Thus, in the patients who had received the highest antibody dose, virtually no beta-amyloid plaques were detectable after one year.

Mental abilities remained more stable with medication
Although not originally intended as a primary study objective, the researchers also looked at how the therapy affects the symptoms of the disease because of its positive effects. They used standardized questionnaires to test patients' cognitive abilities or everyday activities.

"Aducanumab also showed good results in clinical symptoms," said Professor Dr. Roger M. Nitsch from the University of Zurich in a press release. "While the mental abilities of patients in the placebo group worsened significantly, they remained significantly more stable in the patients with the highest antibody dose."

The efficacy and safety of the antibody is assessed in a total of 2,700 patients with Alzheimer's disease in more than 300 participating centers in 20 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, according to the University. (Ad)