Madison Alzheimer's Researchers Hope To Duplicate Successful Russian Study
Study To Enroll 525 Patients
Updated: 12:26 pm CDT August 11, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- The Dean Foundation in Madison is giving new hope to people with Alzheimer's disease.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAs one of the only sites in the Midwest for the study of the new drug Dimebon, Madison researchers hope to replicate a successful Russian study and use the drug to stop the progression of Alzheimer's.As difficult as Alzheimer's is for the patient, the burden it puts on caretakers can be even worse.Dominico Sella took care of his wife at home while she suffered from Alzheimer's. He kept a daily journal of her condition and many medications."It was awful to see a person that for maybe 5 minutes is lucid and (will) talk to you, then all of a sudden she's gone," Sella said.But for families like the Sellas who have experienced the effects of the disease first hand, the Dean Foundation in Madison is offering hope."This is a very exciting study because we are looking at a drug called Dimebon that has the potential to be a much better treatment for Alzheimer's than we have right now," said Dr. Leslie Taylor, medical and executive director of the Dean Foundation.While current treatments slow the progression of the disease, doctors said Dimebon might actually prevent brain cells from dying."It's sort of like a Band-aid, the drugs that are out there now. This one would actually be, not a cure of course, but it would actually potentially halt some of the progression of the disease," Taylor said.The study is recruiting patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's who aren't on any other treatment."The study is a six-month study where it's placebo controlled, so subjects could be taking the placebo or they could be taking the drug Dimebon in one of two different doses," Taylor said.Although the Sellas family cannot participate in the study right now, Alzheimer's research is very important to them for the future."It's a big deal because on both sides of the family we have Alzheimer's. So, myself and my three siblings, we are potentially good candidates to have some sort of dementia later on in life," said Antonio Sella, whose mother suffered from Alzheimer's.The Connection study will enroll 525 patients total. The only risk is the six months that patients could potentially be taking a placebo pill. But after six months, all participants will be able to take the drug until it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.Those interested in participating in the study can call the Dean Foundation at 608-827-2300.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportAs one of the only sites in the Midwest for the study of the new drug Dimebon, Madison researchers hope to replicate a successful Russian study and use the drug to stop the progression of Alzheimer's.As difficult as Alzheimer's is for the patient, the burden it puts on caretakers can be even worse.Dominico Sella took care of his wife at home while she suffered from Alzheimer's. He kept a daily journal of her condition and many medications."It was awful to see a person that for maybe 5 minutes is lucid and (will) talk to you, then all of a sudden she's gone," Sella said.But for families like the Sellas who have experienced the effects of the disease first hand, the Dean Foundation in Madison is offering hope."This is a very exciting study because we are looking at a drug called Dimebon that has the potential to be a much better treatment for Alzheimer's than we have right now," said Dr. Leslie Taylor, medical and executive director of the Dean Foundation.While current treatments slow the progression of the disease, doctors said Dimebon might actually prevent brain cells from dying."It's sort of like a Band-aid, the drugs that are out there now. This one would actually be, not a cure of course, but it would actually potentially halt some of the progression of the disease," Taylor said.The study is recruiting patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's who aren't on any other treatment."The study is a six-month study where it's placebo controlled, so subjects could be taking the placebo or they could be taking the drug Dimebon in one of two different doses," Taylor said.Although the Sellas family cannot participate in the study right now, Alzheimer's research is very important to them for the future."It's a big deal because on both sides of the family we have Alzheimer's. So, myself and my three siblings, we are potentially good candidates to have some sort of dementia later on in life," said Antonio Sella, whose mother suffered from Alzheimer's.The Connection study will enroll 525 patients total. The only risk is the six months that patients could potentially be taking a placebo pill. But after six months, all participants will be able to take the drug until it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.Those interested in participating in the study can call the Dean Foundation at 608-827-2300. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
