Alzheimer's Society Comment On Entanercept And TNF Alpha Protein, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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There is an urgent demand for treatments to tackle Alzheimer's disease, which affects 400,000 people in the UK and millions more carers.

These numbers are rising and investment in dementia research is an essential part of confronting this devastating condition.

On the surface these results are exciting but we need to treat the study with caution. There are large gaps in the research, which only involved a small pilot group and we cannot draw any conclusions until a controlled trial is carried out.

We have concerns about the potential cost and practicalities of a treatment that has to be injected into patient's spines - a procedure that will require trained staff and special facilities.

It is very encouraging to see alternative ways to treat Alzheimer's disease being explored. We need to see much wider investment in dementia research in the UK.

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of research
Alzheimer's Society

Reference

Perispinal Entanercept and Alzheimer's disease - research by Dr Edward Tobinick (from University of California, Los Angeles)
What is Entanercept?
Entanercept is linked to a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It is now being researched as a possible treatment for diseases of the brain.

Alzheimer's Society

- Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

- The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

Alzheimer's Society