Encouraging vaccine results The researchers also received a report from Elan Pharmaceuticals that an experimental vaccine designed to fight Alzheimer's disease appears to be safe in humans. It's gone remarkably smoothly. In the U.S. we've done single-dose studies, and they're nearly complete, and so far things have gone remarkably well. I think that s where we are now. Using nonsteroid drugs to counter brain-tissue inflammation offers another avenue of promise.
Experiments are under way to test the theories on inflammation and the other vectors of attack.
If the studies go well, Alzheimer s patients could see therapies available in 3 to 5 years. The current safety trials by Elan Pharmaceuticals on the potential vaccine are taking place in the United States and United Kingdom. When they're completed, the studies will expand to include several hundred patients at a number of medical institutions. Assuming everything works out, this vaccine not only will treat Alzheimer's disease, but will also prevent Alzheimer's. One year ago Elan researchers reported remarkable results of the vaccine in mice.