Anti-Inflammatory Medications and Alzheimer's
Suggested lead: Scientists are testing the effects of anti-inflammatory medications on Alzheimer's disease. Tom Britt has more.
Friday, February 9, 2001
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Durham, N.C. -- Alzheimer's specialists worldwide are
studying many drugs and other treatments to solve the mystery of
the baffling disease. Research coordinator Marilyn Aiello says a
new study based at Duke University Medical Center will look at
whether the arthritis drug Vioxx has any effect on delaying
symptoms of the disease.
"Anti-inflammatories bring down swelling or inflammation. The reason we're studying an anti-inflammatory is, scientists believe that inflammation may play a role in memory loss and in Alzheimer's. So the thought is, if we halt the inflammation perhaps we can slow down the progression of the disease."
The 15- month study will be conducted at locations around the country and will be coordinated by Duke. Aiello says one stumbling block to finding a successful treatment for Alzheimer's disease is the lack of animal models. No one has found a way to reproduce true Alzheimer's disease in animals, so all research must involve human subjects, and that means progress continues to be very slow. I'm Tom Britt.
Aiello says there are some drugs available that do seem to briefly slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists hope they will one day find a longer-term treatment or perhaps even a cure.
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