Drug shows promise as Alzheimer's therapy

NEW YORK, July 31 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say a drug commonly prescribed to treat immunodeficiencies has shown promise as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical Center announced the nine-month interim results of an ongoing Phase II double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of gammagard intravenous immunoglobulin, or IGIV.

Those results show significantly better global outcomes, cognitive performance and daily functioning in patients treated with IGIV compared with initially placebo-treated patients, the researchers said.

The new interim data show persistence of benefits for Alzheimer's patients treated continuously for nine months. The study's lead researcher, Dr. Norman Relkin, said the study is the first to show persistence of benefits for Alzheimer's from IGIV with continuous treatment for nine months. Previous studies discontinued therapy after six months.

The findings were presented Wednesday during an Alzheimer's Association's international conference in Chicago.

A Phase III trial is expected to begin this year.