Encouraging early AD data with anti-TNF drug

A small study conducted by a team of US scientists found rapid and significant improvement in the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease patients given a perispinal injection of Enbrel (etanercept), an anti-inflammatory drug made by US drug major Wyeth.

Data from the six-month study, which were published in the January 10 issue of the Journal of Neuroinflammation, show that 15 probable-Alzheimer patients who were treated weekly with the Food and Drug Adminsitration-approved tumor necrosis factor blocker saw sustained improvement in cognitive function.

In a separate report published in the same issue of the journal, scientists presented a single patient case report to highlight the rapidity with which the anti-TNF drug took effect. With an 89 year-old man who could not recall the names of any of the physicians who treated him or what day it was, demonstrated improvements in memory as soon as ten minutes after he was administered the drug. Two hours later he could recall the month, day of the week, place and state, the researchers noted.