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According to new estimates from the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's disease, aprogressive, debilitating and deadly neurodegenerative disease that destroysbrain cells and affects areas of the brain involved in memory, cognition,judgment, language and behavior. Currently available therapies forAlzheimer's treat the symptoms with modest effect in most patients; newtherapies are urgently needed.
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Results from a one-year study of Dimebon in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer'sdisease -- showing statistically significant improvements in memory, thinking,function and behavior -- were highlighted at the recent 2008 ArizonaAlzheimer's Consortium (AAC) Annual Conference, a community service event.Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Sun Health Research Institute are bothmembers of the Consortium.
"We are encouraged by the results Dimebon has shown in clinical studies todate and believe it is imperative to fully assess its promise in the fightagainst Alzheimer's disease," said Pierre N. Tariot, M.D., director, MemoryDisorders Center, Banner Alzheimer's Institute. "We are pleased to beparticipating in this study."
"As the baby boomer population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer's willdramatically increase. We must find innovative ways to treat this devastatingdisease and slow its progression," said Marwan Sabbagh, M.D., founder anddirector of clinical research at Sun Health Research Institute's Cleo RobertsCenter for Clinical Research. "We encourage local patients and caregivers tolearn more about possible enrollment in this study, as clinical research isvitally important to understanding how we can better treat Alzheimer'sdisease."
About the Study
The multi-phase 1/2 study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerabilityand pharmacokinetics(1) of the investigational drug Dimebon in the treatmentof patients with Alzheimer's disease. Patients aged 50 and older with aclinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, taking Aricept for at least 60 daysprior to enrollment, may be eligible to participate in the study. The trialis sponsored by Medivation, Inc.
About Dimebon
Dimebon is an investigational therapy in clinical development for thetreatment of Alzheimer's disease. It targets Alzheimer's disease differentlythan currently available therapies. Initial studies of Dimebon have shownpromise and further study is indicated.
About Banner Alzheimer's Institute
Banner Alzheimer's Institute is a treatment and research facilitydedicated to helping patients with memory and thinking problems. It offersclinical care for patients; provides education, referral and support servicesfor family and caregivers; and conducts leading-edge research in clinicaltrials, brain imaging and genetics studies. The Institute is devoted tofinding effective Alzheimer's disease-slowing and prevention treatments in theshortest time possible. Banner Alzheimer's Institute is owned and operated byPhoenix-based Banner Health, a nonprofit organization.
About Sun Health Research Institute
For 21 years, Sun Health Research Institute has been a leader nationallyand internationally in the effort to find answers to disorders of agingincluding Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, arthritis and prostatecancer. The institute, together with its Arizona Alzheimer's Consortiumpartners, has been designated by the National Insti
