AlzHub

Alzheimer's Drug Trial To Begin For Flurizan

Myriad Genetics Inc. is set to begin the largest ever drug trial to test their new drug Flurizan.  Their website states that they are about to start a phase 3 trial (phase 3 is the last state of testing before a drug is sent to the FDA for approval for use by the general public) which will include 1600 patients over 18 months.

The drug is designed to block the production of beta-amyloid which is believed to be the cause of the plaque buildup found in Alzheimer's patients.

On a side note: The article that I'm linking to (and others) on this trial included something along the lines of: The company "aims to win an intense, international race among several biotech companies to find the first effective treatment to at least slow the disease's progression in the 4.5 million Americans who suffer from it".

I didn't see this claim to be the "first" on the company's website so I don't know where it came from.  Maybe it refers to the way the drug works.  I'd bet the makers of Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Memantine (Namenda) would have something to say about who's first to be able to make the above claim.

Link:

Largest Alzheimer's Drug Trial Launched - Associated Press

Alzheimer's trials show positive results - Salt Lake City Tribune (article on Phase 2)

California Stem Cell Trial Coverage

For coverage of the currently underway California stem cell trial,
visit the California Stem Cell Report written by David Jensen.
He's been attending the trial and posting several times daily on the proceedings.

This trial could determine whether there is a future for the California Stem Cell Agency.

Read the website here:  California Stem Cell Report.

An Great Article On Alzheimer's By Norma Sherry

Here's an article that, to me, captures the frustrations and sums up the state of Alzheimer's knowledge very well.

The conflicting research studies, ideas, opinions and theories. How so little is known for sure about Alzheimer's even though it's been around for so long. Despite all the reported studies and discoveries, very little is available at the patient and caregiver level (the front lines) that helps.

Click the link below to read the article:

The Big "A" As in Alzheimer's by Norma Sherry from OpEdNews.com.

Technorati Tags: Norma Sherry

Donate To Alzheimer's Research On Your Tax Form

Now that tax time is in full swing, this is just a gentle reminder that here in California, you can make a donation towards Alzheimer’s research right on your state tax form – line #53 to be exact. 

I don’t believe California is the only state to do this.  If anyone knows of other states that have a donation to Alzheimer’s option right on the tax form, leave a comment or email me we can pass the information along.

Technorati Tags: California, taxes, Franchise Tax Board

Alzheimer's, Education Levels And Rate Of Decline

This is a story that I've seen several times in the news the past few days.

A recent study indicates that Alzheimer's disease progresses faster in people with higher education levels.  The researchers studied 312 people for over 5 years and determined that the rate of decline in those with more education was .3 percent greater than those with lower levels of education.

When I first read about this, I thought the news reports had misplaced the decimal point. The .3% must be an overall average.  For an individual, it would seem insignificant.

Let's take a look at this.  The study came up with .3% difference. Being around mom and many different people with Alzheimer's, the declines in each one was different, sometimes radically so.  .3% is stunningly small.

.3% of a year is a little over 1 day.  That's nothing.  Let's say an Alzheimer's
patient lives a nice long 15 years with the disease.  .3% is only about 16.5 days.  Slightly more than 2 weeks over a 15 year period.  Not exactly anything to get worked up about.

The study made a connection between education levels and decline in only two measurable areas: speed of thought processes and memory.  As usual, there are many other possible explanations and possible factors in the decline.

The more we can learn about Alzheimer's the better, and this study helps.  But be careful with statistics and number crunching.  I believe that on an individual basis, the effects from Alzheimer's will vary far more dramatically.  I'm not convinced .3% change in an individual over a year is even measurable accurately.

Links:

Higher Education Levels Tied To Faster Alzheimer's Decline - MedpageToday.com

Alzheimer's Progresses Faster In Educated People (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

USA Today Q&A With Margaret Gatz

This post is a good follow-up to my previous post here.

USA Today's Kathleen Fackelmann asked Margaret Gatz, author of the recent study on the link between genetics and Alzheimer's, some questions related to the study.

The questions expand a little bit beyond just twins to what this means for the rest of us with family members who have or have had Alzheimer's.  I know that these are questions that I had and referred to in my last post.

A couple of the questions:

"If someone has a parent or sibling who has developed Alzheimer's late in life, what is the person's risk of developing the disease?"

"Can people who have a family history of late-onset Alzheimer's reduce their risk?"

Read the rest of the questions and all of the answers in the article here:

Q&A: Late-onset Alzheimer's - USAToday.com.

Technorati Tags: Margaret Gatz

CIRM Releases "Interim IP Policy for Non-Profit Organizations" Report

The Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee has released a working draft of the CIRM (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine) Intellectual Property Policy for Non-Profit Organizations report.

This is the report that details (among other things) how and if California will share in the revenue generated by its' $3 billion investment.

Read the full draft here.

California Institute For Regenerative Medicine website.

Thanks to the California Stem Cell Report for the heads up.

Technorati Tags: CIRM, stem cell, Alzheimer's, Dementia, California

Alzheimer's And Diabetes

I've seen a lot of articles and studies about a possible link between Alzheimer's and diabetes.  Most have discussed how having diabetes may increase the risk of later developing Alzheimer's or how a diabetes drug may help with Alzheimer's. 

Now researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School have a study that takes things even further and indicates that Alzheimer's may actually be a new kind of diabetes.

Read the press release - Eurekalert.org.

Dr. Zach W. Hall, President Of CIRM, Interview

Just saw this at the great California Stem Cell Report by David Jensen:

"Set your Internet radio Wednesday Jan. 4 to Science and Society at 1 p.m. PST to catch the president of the California stem cell agency discussing the latest doings at the institute."

Check it out and if you aren't reading the California Stem Cell Report regularly, you should be.

*Update 01/05/2005:*

A podcast of the program is now available in case you missed it.

Stem Cell Lines Created Without Embryos - Airtalk on KPCC

On October 17, 2005, Larry Mantle talked to Dr. Michael Friedman, President and CEO of City of Hope Cancer Center, and a member of Prop 71’s Stem Cell Oversight Committee about new methods of producing stem cell lines without destroying the embryo.

Destroying the embryo has been the major ethical concern preventing federal funding of stem cell research.

Click to listen:

Stem Cell Lines Created Without Embryos

or visit the KPCC / Airtalk website directly.