Study: Clioquinol Slows Mental Decline, Reduces Amyloid Beta Protein in Alzheimer's Patients

The drug Clioquinol slows mental decline and significantly lowers blood levels of amyloid beta protein in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, according to a study reported in the December 15 issue of the Archives of Neurology.

The Australian biotechnology firm Prana is developing Clioquino, or PBT-1. PBT-1 belongs to a class of drugs called metal protein attenuating compounds. The drug's ability to reduce amyloid beta protein levels is important because this protein is thought to cause Alzheimer's disease.

The study involved 36 patients who were assessed for indicators of cognitive performance such as memory, orientation, language, attention and reasoning. Half of the patients received PBT-1 and the other half received a placebo.

Researcher Colin Masters, a professor at the University of Melbourne, said this is the first time that any drug has been shown to lower the blood levels of amyloid beta protein.

"It is also heartening that the drug appears to be well tolerated," he added, "To date, 10 patients who elected to continue taking PBT-1 at the completion of the formal 36-week period of the trial have completed 18 months of treatment with no clinically significant adverse events attributable to the treatment."

Dr. Susanne Sorensen, Head of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, said while the results are welcome, it would like to see a larger scale trial.

"The potential for new drugs that may interfere with or reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease gives hope to people with dementia and their (caregivers)," said Sorensen. "There are currently only limited and expensive treatment options available for Alzheimer's disease and none that reverse the disease for more than a short period."

Other sources: University College London, Prana