Patent ID: 8066993

Claim:
A method for treating Alzheimer's disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising the sequential steps of: (a) determining ventricular volume in the subject's brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), thereby obtaining a baseline value of ventricular volume; (b) administering an intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) composition to the subject for the purpose of treating Alzheimer's disease during a first time period; (c) determining ventricular volume in the subject's brain by MRI, thereby obtaining a first intermediate value of ventricular volume; (d) comparing the intermediate value from step (c) with the baseline value from step (a); and (e) increasing administration of the IVIG composition in dose or frequency if step (d) indicates an increase from the baseline value to the first intermediate value and the increase is equal to or greater than an expected increase in ventricular volume in a subject with Alzheimer's disease within a time period of the same duration as the first time period but without receiving treatment for the disease, wherein the expected increase in ventricular volume in a subject with Alzheimer's disease but without receiving treatment for the disease is defined as the amount of ventricular enlargement that would be anticipated during a given length of time in an Alzheimer patient not receiving anti-Alzheimer treatment, and maintaining administration of the IVIG composition in dose or frequency if step (d) indicates no increase from the baseline value to the first intermediate value or indicates an increase that is less than an expected increase in ventricular volume in a subject with Alzheimer's disease within a time period of the same duration as the first time period but without receiving treatment for the disease.