An article published on the Science daily website details groundbreaking gene therapy trials being conducted by the Memories Disorder Program at the Georgetown University Medical Center.
At the heart of the trials, which are focused around patients suffering from dementia as a result of Alzheimer’s disease, is the drug Cere-110. Researchers involved with the trials are hoping that Cere-110 will help slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease throughout the brain. Cere-110 is surgically implemented into an area of the brain that is being affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Once implanted, a gene within Cere-110 will direct the brain to create a specific protein which helps to maintain nerve cells health and function.
The trials will include 50 people who are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and will only allow those with a “mild form” to participate. Patients will be evaluated to ensure that they are competent to consent before participating. The trials will be structured as a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thats a mouthful. so lets break it down a little.
Phase II- refers to the clinical trial which the drug is in. During phase II the drug is studied on a larger population and to better understand how safe and beneficial it really is.
Double Blind- A parameter within the study, means that patients as well as coordinators and physicians will not know who within the population received the drug.
Placebo- All patients will undergo surgery but only a random number will be given the drug.
This Study is the first of its kind and has the potential to produce some major breakthroughs in terms of our understanding of the Alzheimer’s disease. Within the United States alone there are 5.2 million people suffering from the disease and no cure is currently available. While Cere-110 is still clinically young and must clear other trials. I believe it is important to engage in studies that push our understanding to the next level. With that being said, I found method of implementation for Cere-110 to be fascinating. Due to the fact that it is surgically implanted into parts of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s, the drug will be able to operate locally to stop the spread of the disease. Although I am in no way, shape or form, a doctor. I feel that administering a drug to the center of the problem could have some benefits. Either way, I wish the researchers and the patients the best of luck and i will continue to bring updates about this study as soon as they are available.
