Intravenous immunoglobulins containing antibodies against β-amyloid for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Issue 10 (16th September 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dodel, R C; Du, Y; Depboylu, C; Hampel, H; Frölich, L; Haag, A; Hemmeter, U; Paulsen, S; Teipel, S J; Brettschneider, S; Spottke, A; Nölker, C; Möller, H J; Wei, X; Farlow, M; Sommer, N; Oertel, W H
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 75:Issue 10(2004)
• Page Start: 1472
• Page End: 1474
• Publication Date: 2004-09-16
• Subjects: Aβ, β-amyloid -- AD, Alzheimer's disease -- CSF, cerebrospinal fluid -- IVlgG, human immunoglobulin preparations -- MMSE, Mini-Mental State Examination; alzheimer -- immunoglobulin -- beta amyloid -- immunisation; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2003.033399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Active or passive immunisation can mitigate plaque pathology in murine models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, it has been shown that antibodies against β-amyloid (Aβ) are present in human immunoglobulin preparations (IVIgG), which specifically recognise and inhibit the neurotoxic effects of Aβ. This study reports the results from a pilot study using IVIgG in patients with AD. Methods: Five patients with AD were enrolled and received monthly IVIgG over a 6 month period. Efficacy assessment included total Aβ/Aβ1–42 measured in the CSF/serum as well as effects on cognition (ADAS-cog; CERAD) at baseline and at 6 months following IVIgG. Results: Following IVIgG, total Aβ levels in the CSF decreased by 30.1% (17.3–43.5%) compared to baseline (p<0.05). Total Aβ increased in the serum by 233% (p<0.05). No significant change was found in Aβ1–42 levels in the CSF/serum. Using ADAS-cog, an improvement of 3.7±2.9 points was detected. Scores in the MMSE were essentially unchanged (improved in four patients, stable in one patient) following IVIgG compared to baseline. Conclusion: Although the sample size of this pilot study is too small to draw a clear conclusion, the results of this pilot study provide evidence for a more detailed investigation of IVIgG for the treatment of AD.