Written By Tyrone McCoy
Thank you for participating in the Generation research program. We are saddened to share that pharmaceutical companies, Novartis, and Amgen, recently announced their decision to discontinue studies into this potential preventative Alzheimer’s disease therapy. The trial and treatment will no longer be available at Columbus Memory Center.
I am certain you are disappointed, as am I. However, a team of independent scientific observers felt that potential harm could come to participants. Therefore, most of the studies have to be stopped. For those of you that received active medication, it is almost certain that less amyloid protein accumulated in your brains. Therefore, it is possible that long term benefit will have occurred. It is certainly a hopeful thought.
I want to personally thank each of you for participating. It is important to recognize your contributions to this field, as even failed trials advance our understanding and create new avenues for exploration. Your willingness to participate has indeed brought us closer to a cure. It is also important to note that hope springs eternal. As you may recall, it was only about 18 months ago that we announced the dramatic results of a prior drug research trial. This early-stage trial showed at least a 30% slowing of the disease and was the first trial to ever show that we could modify the disease itself. Its success has brought forth a new advanced stage trial to reproduce its results, and hopefully, bring this drug to the bedside for standard use.
We continue to explore ways to defeat Alzheimer’s disease. New research trials are being formulated as I write. We have many other active trials ongoing as well. It was not very long ago that we were exploring only a single way to defeat Alzheimer’s disease. Our research trials use everything from monoclonal antibodies, developed in a laboratory, to enzymes taken from a purple creature that lives at the bottom of our oceans. In addition, we are also capable of safely removing the two proteins from the brain that we believe cause this disease, and safely looking into the living brain to see who might benefit from these research drugs. It is certainly a new age full of reasons to remain optimistic and hopeful.
We will continue to look for every avenue of intervention that we can find to defeat Alzheimer’s disease. In the meantime, I want you to know that we are thinking about you, honoring your devotion to this important work, and will always be available to speak with you should any questions arise. Thank you again for your help in fighting this disease. Thank you again for allowing us to become a part of your extended family. You have helped the Columbus Memory Center set the standard for memory care.
