The final topic of discussion at this year’s 7th annual CTAD pertained to results from clinical research for the treatment of more troubling symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. One such symptom is called Pseudobulbar Affect or PBA, which is a symptom that may be present in the later stages of Alzheimer’s dementia. PBA is characterized by emotional lability (uncontrollable episodes of crying and/or laughing) which may occur in neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Presenter/Author for this clinical trial was Rachelle S. Doody, MD, PhD, Director, Alzheimer’s disease and Memory Disorders Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. The clinical trial involved development of AVP-923 (Dextromethorphan/Quinidine) for Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)from the Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia Cohort of PRISM II.
Patients in the Prism study with various neurologic disorders (including Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury and stroke)) participated in the 12 week Phase 2 Prism study trial, conducted to evaluate the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of AVP—923 for PBA. In the initial outcome of the clinical trial, the drug was shown to significantly lower PBA symptoms and it was tolerated very well in those with dementia.
There were many other expert speakers at the CTAD this year that presented additional clinical studies showing a high degree of promise for new and improved methods of Alzheimer’s treatment
Learn more about the 7th annual CTAD by going to www.ctad-alzheimer.com CLICK HERE to sign up for our 25 lessons on Alzheimer’s disease for caregivers at AlzU.org.
