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Delray Neurologist to Test Alzheimer's Vaccine

Posted on: Monday, 22 August 2005, 09:01 CDT

Aug. 22--A Delray Beach neurologist is one of five doctors in the country testing a new Alzheimer's vaccine in a clinical trial.

The vaccine, made by Elan Pharmaceuticals in Dublin, Ireland, should prompt the body to produce antibodies that will attack plaque that forms in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. Dr. Mark Brody, a principal investigator, said no one is certain that the plaque is the primary cause of the memory loss and mental degeneration, but it forms where memory is stored and processed.

Starting in September, Brody and his staff at Brain Matters Research will inject the vaccine into 12 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's in the first phase of the clinical trial. New drugs go through three phases of trials before makers seek Food and Drug Administration approval.

Brody said the trial will last two years, during which he'll evaluate patients with medical scans and exams as well as tests that assess memory, processing speed and judgment.

"Eventually, if we show a treatment is effective in people who have the disease, eventually we will start to treat people with pre-Alzheimer's," Brody said.

People who wish to participate in the trial can contact Brody at (561) 374-8461.

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ELN,

Source: The Palm Beach Post

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