March 10, 2021
The research was published in the Journal
" The research was published in the Journal of Alzheimer&China crate mold39;s Disease. "It's worth
noting, we did not demonstrate any improvement in cognitive function after a
single dose of medication in this study.The team led by Daniel Z.Washington:
According to a recent study, the scientists have tested an anti-epileptic drug
for its potential impact on the brain activity of patients with mild Alzheimer's
disease.Finally, patients took a standardized cognitive test, designed to
measure memory, executive functioning, naming, visuospatial ability and semantic
function - capabilities all affected by Alzheimer's disease. Next, patients were
given injections containing either inactive placebo or the anti-seizure drug
levetiracetam, at either a low dose (2. It's too early to use the drug widely,
but we're preparing for a larger, longer study," noted Press. That is,
researchers saw overall increases in brain wave frequencies that had been
abnormally low in Alzheimer's disease patients prior to receiving the higher
dose of levetiracetam, and, likewise, saw decreases in those that had been
abnormally high.
Today, it affects more than 5 million Americans, a figure that
is projected to reach 16 million by 2050 as the population ages.Overall, higher
doses of the anti-seizure drug appeared to normalize abnormalities seen in the
patients' EEG profiles. So our findings represent an interesting new avenue. At
each visit, patients were given a baseline (EEG) to measure the electrical
activity in the brain. "In the field of Alzheimer's disease research, there has
been a major search for drugs to slow its progression.In the study, a small
group of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease visited BIDMC three
times.Neither patients nor medical professionals knew which injections patients
were receiving, but each patient eventually got one of each type, in a random
order.5 mg/kg).5 mg/kg) or a higher dose (7. Press, MD, of the Berenson-Allen
Center for Non-invasive Brain Stimulation at BIDMC, documented changes in
patients' EEGs that suggest the drug could have a beneficial effect. In the
seven patients who were able to complete the study protocol successfully, Press
and colleagues analyzed changes in their EEGs.
After receiving the injection,
patients underwent another EEG, then magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -- which
measures blood flow in the brain, another way to quantify brain activity and
determine where in the brain it is taking place.The risk of developing
Alzheimer's disease increases sharply with age. If this abnormal # electrical
activity is leading to more damage, then suppressing it could potentially slow
the progression of the disease," said Press, an Instructor of Neurology in the
Cognitive Neurology Unit at BIDMC and an Associate Professor of Neurology at
Harvard Medical School.Press concluded by saying, "These strategies have not led
to new therapies to date. There have been a lot of disappointments. In recent
years, researchers have focused on developing techniques to clear the brain of
amyloid and tau protein plaques that build up and wreak havoc in the brains of
patients with Alzheimer's disease
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