Anti-TNF may improve Alzheimer's disease

A case report published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation gives hope to patients with Alzheimer's disease and their carers. Rapid cognitive improvement was seen within minutes in a patient with late-onset Alzheimer's disease following perispinal etanercept (an anti-TNF drug). Previous research has suggested that excess tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is centrally involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. It has recently been shown to mediate the disruption in synaptic memory mechanisms, which is caused by beta-amyloid and beta-amyloid oligomers. The beneficial effects seen with etanercept may be related to amelioration of the effects of excess TNF-alpha on synpatic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. As with all case reports, this finding has been welcomed cautiously. The case report doesn't prove this treatment works but will motivate scientists to conduct larger efficacy trials.

Journal of Neuroinflammation: Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease following perispinal etanercept administration 2008, 5:2 doi:10.1186/1742-2094-5-2