The maker of what was once viewed as a promising Alzheimer's vaccine has ended development after 15 patients suffered serious brain inflammation.

Elan Corp. created considerable excitement in 2000 when it reported that in mice trials, the compound AN-1792 had reduced brain-clogging plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

Initial safety tests in people showed no adverse effects. But in January, Elan suspended a 360-patient experiment when it discovered four people suffering an encephalitis-like brain inflammation (see earlier Alzheimer Week story).

Last week, it was reported that 12 participants in the study were now seriously ill with brain inflammation (see Alzheimer Week story), and in announcing the end of development of the drug, Elan medical officer Dr. Ivan Lieberburg said a total of 15 had fallen ill.

Lieberburg said all 15 of the patients were stable or recovering and none is critically ill. He said doctors would continue monitoring all patients in the study, both for further problems and to see if the injections had any benefit against Alzheimer's.

Lieberburg also said Elan did not pin all hopes on AN-1792 but had several other candidates that studies in mice suggest are "just as good or better" at clearing away amyloid.

Other sources: Elan