Gene Therapy Clinical Trial Seeks To Improve Brain Function In Alzheimer's Disease
January 26, 2010
Adapted from Emory University
Alzheimer's disease (AD) researchers are testing the effectiveness of gene therapy for the first time to treat patients with this common brain disease. Emory University is one of twelve institutions participating in a nationwide study to test the experimental medication, CERE-110.
The Phase 2 clinical trial seeks to enroll a total of 50 study participants with mild to moderate AD. Previously studied in animals and in a small study to assess safety in humans, CERE-110 appears to induce long-term production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) by brain cells. NGF is a naturally occurring protein that helps nerve cells, or neurons, survive in the brain. These neurons produce a chemical, acetylcholine, which plays a vital role in memory and cognitive function.
"Since NGF supports the survival and function of the neurons that deteriorate in people with Alzheimer's disease, we hope to slow the worsening of their symptoms with this new therapy," says James Lah, MD, associate professor of neurology, Emory University School of Medicine and lead investigator of the study at Emory.
During the Phase 2 clinical trial, a neurosurgeon will inject CERE-110 directly into the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) of the brain, an area where neuron death occurs in AD. CERE-110 packages the gene for NGF within a shell from the adeno-associated virus. Putting an extra copy of the NGF gene into cells drives them to make more NGF. The original virus is not known to cause disease—and as an extra precaution, most of the insides of the virus are removed.
"Adeno-associated viral vectors like the one used in this study have proven safe in extensive animal testing, as well as several other human trials for neurodegenerative diseases," says Nicholas Boulis, MD, assistant professor, department of neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine. Boulis has previously conducted neurosurgical adeno-associated gene therapy and is performing the surgery in the Emory study.
The information below will be helpful in getting answers to your questions concerning this study:
- Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) website
- NIA's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
- Email: adear@nia.nih.gov
- Phone: 1-800-438-4380
View all news updates for Alzheimer's disease
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