Potential Alzheimer’s treatment could be safe but only in low doses

The Harvard and Brown University studies, presented at the International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease, followed 194 and 262 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's respectively who had previously been given the drug bapineuzumab. The drug is currently being tested in clinical trials. The research found 30.8 per cent of people receiving high doses of the drug had serious side effects but this was reduced to 6.7 per cent when people were given a lower dose.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'With potential new therapies it is always important to weigh up the pros and cons. This latest evidence suggests that with the right dosage bapineuzumab could be relatively safe for people with dementia but we are still some way from knowing if it could be a viable Alzheimer's vaccine.

'Vaccine development is an important area for dementia research. If we can stop the symptoms before they affect day to day life, this could offer hope to millions of people.'

Dr Anne Corbett
Research Manager
Alzheimer's Society