An experimental vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated the effectiveness in purification of brain tissues from anomalous Tau protein, but it is not yet clear whether it is capable of keeping the brain functions. In a few patients with a truly high level of Tau protein, the deterioration of cognitive functions has decreased markedly. The results of the second phase of the clinical testing of the new drug against the incurable and fatal form of dementia, which is not yet treatment, is reported in the article published in the Nature Aging journal.
Slovak Slovak Pharmaceutical Company Developer’s specialists tested the AADVAC1 peptide vaccine at 196 patients with a slight form of dementia. During the entire time of testing (24 months), one group of participants was given 11 doses of the drug (each 40 micrograms), and the other placebo. The main goal was to verify the safety of the vaccine and its tolerance during long-term reception. In addition, scientists estimated the immunogenicity and effectiveness of AADVAC1 in a decrease in cognitive disorders caused by the accumulation of Tau-proteins.
Tow protein along with beta-amyloid is considered one of the main factors of the pathological process in Alzheimer’s disease. These toxic proteins accumulate and form neurofibrillary balls, which are considered to provoke the death of neurons and the destruction of brain tissues.
Test results did not show any difference in developing side effects from vaccine and from placebo. The drug induced an increase in the level of immunoglobulin IgG, but did not have a significant effect on the cognitive functions of patients. This can be explained by the fact that among all patients there were too few people with Alzheimer’s diagnosed disease and a high level of Tau-protein. In the same, whom she was, there were some improvements in standard doughs for memory, reasoning and thinking. In this group of patients, the decrease in the functions of the brain slowed down by 30 percent.
Axon plans the following phase of the test, which will include a greater number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which have accumulation of both amyloid plaques and tau-clubs.