Groundbreaking Drug Helping Alzheimer's Patients

Channel 6 WLNS News

Right now there is no cure for Alzheimers Disease, but those struggling with it here in mid-Michigan have the chance to be part of a groundbreaking clinical drug trial aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. One local woman says she's already seeing positive results.

Barbara Loudon, Alzheimer's patient: "I have been dealing with this since 1998. Short term memory loss is the big problem."

Barbara Louden is battling Alzheimer's disease and she's hoping that by taking part in a clinical study at Michigan State University, it will lead to developing a drug that will slow the progression of the disease. Barbara was one of the first patients to join the 18-month study . Every 3 months she gets an infusion, followed up with an MRI.

Dr. Andrea Bozoki, Asst. Prof., MSU neurology: "We know that people with Alzheimers have brain shrinkage over time due to the death of neurons. The MRI's help us to evaluate volume changes and compare it with the active drug as with a placebo."

After several months in the program, Barbara says she's noticed some improvement in her ability to read and do crossword puzzles.

Barbara Loudon: "Before I got into the study, I had to give up reading, I couldn't carry the characters from chapter to chapter."

And it's reactions like Barbara's that researchers are hoping others will see and then decide....read the whole article

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