Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive dementia and characteristic histological changes within the brain. For more information about Alzheimer's disease visit www.alz.org. Some of the affected neurons are the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, and the amount of degeneration in these localised neurons is correlated to the extent of dementia.
When applied locally, nerve growth factor (NGF) has shown protective and regenerative effects on the basal cholinergic forebrain system. Associated cognitive improvement in several animal models and clinical pilot studies has been demonstrated. A therapeutic application of NGF for treatment of the cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease is therefore well founded. An open label Phase 1b trial has been initiated with NsG0202 (EC BiodeliveryTM implant secreting NGF). Safety analysis data are favorable and supportive of the treatment. Furthermore, secondary efficacy endpoints look promising. The trial will end in Q2, 2012.
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s has more than doubled since 1980. The annual costs of Alzheimer's disease to the US society are more than $100 billion.
Finding a treatment that could delay onset by five years could reduce the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease by nearly 50 percent after 50 years.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease will live an average of eight years and as many as 20 years or more from the onset of symptoms as estimated by relatives.
