New use for old drug shows promise for Alzheimer’s patients

William Burke, M.D.

UNMC researchers have joined a national group investigating the innovative use of an existing therapy as a potential treatment for people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease.

The GAP (Gammaglobulin Alzheimer’s Partnership) Study will examine the safety, effectiveness and tolerability of Immune Globulin Intravenous (IGIV) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

IGIV has been used successfully for more than 20 years to treat people with autoimmune and immunodeficient disorders.

“The GAP study seeks to follow-up on promising findings from earlier, preliminary studies suggesting that the treatment might be helpful to those with Alzheimer’s disease,” said William Burke, M.D., professor of psychiatry and vice chairman for research in the department of psychiatry.

More about the study The GAP study involves 360 participants at 38 sites nationwide over a period of 82 weeks. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 50-89, have been diagnosed with probable mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, in good general health and have a study partner who is in contact with the participant at least 10 hours or more a week. Contact 402-552-6005 or unmcprc@unmc.edu for more information.

Recent results from a small 18-month study done at Weill Cornell Medical College showed improvements in overall function, cognition and brain imaging in those who received the treatment.

The GAP study is being conducted by the Alzheimer ‘s Disease Cooperative Studies (ADCS) group, which is funded in part by the National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

“The preliminary results are promising, but it is important to note that only a small number of people were involved,” Dr. Burke said. “The current study should allow us to better understand this approach to treatment.”