Alzheimer’s Gene Therapy Slows Mental Decline
Alzheimer’s Gene Therapy Slows Mental Decline (WebMD)
A new approach to Alzheimer’s disease uses gene therapy to slow down the disease. When tried for the first time in humans, the mental decline from Alzheimer’s slowed. Metabolic brain activity also increased, according to the report in Nature Medicine’s online edition. The study was very small, with only eight patients. More studies are needed, say the researchers, who included neurosciences professor Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, of the University of California, San Diego.
The strategy didn’t cure Alzheimer’s disease and isn’t likely to do so, they caution. But if confirmed, it might be “a useful therapy” that could surpass current Alzheimer’s treatments.
Eight patients?! That’s not much of a sample.