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Posted on Apr 21, 2005, 6 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
An experimental treatment given to a handful of New Yorkers with Alzheimer's disease appears to have given them a reprieve from the symptoms. Six patients who received weekly, biweekly or monthly infusions of the treatment for six months scored three points higher on a standard test for Alzheimer's than they had before the treatment began.
An experimental treatment given to a handful of New Yorkers with Alzheimer's disease appears to have given them a reprieve from the symptoms.
Six patients who received weekly, biweekly or monthly infusions of the treatment for six months scored three points higher on a standard test for Alzheimer's than they had before the treatment began. A seventh patient's score did not improve, but also did not decline. Normally, the disease process would have left them 1 to 2 points lower during that time.
Yesterday, researchers from the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan presented preliminary findings at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in Florida.
"It is extremely encouraging," said Dr. Norman Relkin of Weill Cornell. But he cautioned that larger studies are needed to establish the value of the treatment.
Six patients who received weekly, biweekly or monthly infusions of the treatment for six months scored three points higher on a standard test for Alzheimer's than they had before the treatment began. A seventh patient's score did not improve, but also did not decline. Normally, the disease process would have left them 1 to 2 points lower during that time.
Yesterday, researchers from the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan presented preliminary findings at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in Florida.
"It is extremely encouraging," said Dr. Norman Relkin of Weill Cornell. But he cautioned that larger studies are needed to establish the value of the treatment.
