NeoTherapeutics has announced the completion of its pivotal clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of higher doses of Neotrofin in Alzheimer's patients.

This fully-blinded study included 521 patients at 51 centers, who received 500 and 1,000 mg doses of Neotrofin or a placebo for six months. Results of the latest study are expected by mid-May..

In previous studies, Neotrofin has been shown to improve memory and behavior in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have found that a single dose of Neotrofin increased the number of neural stem cells in adult mice 24 hours after a single treatment.

Additionally, a Phase 2 trial showed that patients receiving various doses of Neotrofin over a six month period "showed statistically significant improvement in memory, attention and judgment." (see earlier Alzheimer's Week story).

Other sources: NeoTherapeutics