Drugs 'have Alzheimer's benefits'
Updated on 14 May 2007
Scientists have released new evidence showing that Alzheimer's drugs currently being denied to patients have beneficial effects on the brain.
The Government's independent watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), caused huge controversy last year by ruling that donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine should only be used to treat moderate stages of the disease. It also ruled that memantine should be used only in clinical studies for people with moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's.
The watchdog said the drugs did "not make enough of a difference for us to recommend their use for treating all stages of Alzheimer's disease".
But research published in the journal Neurology appears to show that the drugs have a beneficial effect on the brain.
Patients prescribed donepezil, rivastagmine and galantamine were found to have 70% fewer of the proteins linked to brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
The Alzheimer's Society said it was the first study into the effects of the cholinesterase inhibitors on the human brain, but more research was needed.
A spokeswoman said: "People with dementia and their carers given access to these treatments have long been describing their benefits. But this study is the most direct evidence to date of the effect of these drugs on the human brain.
"These results are the first crucial step towards our understanding of how treatments work physically. As they are the only drug treatments currently available for people with dementia, it is vital we understand their physical impact.
"More research in this area is necessary to support the growing body of evidence on cholinesterase treatments."
The Alzheimer's Society and drug manufacturers are set to have their case heard in the High Court after they lost an appeal against Nice's decision.
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