As part of an international study, Canadian researchers are testing the use of antibody drugs to prevent or slow down Alzheimer鈥檚 disease in people who are genetically predisposed to develop it at an early age.
The Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit, or DIAN-TU, involves several Canadian clinical sites that are testing two experimental drugs, called solanezumab and gantenerumab.
Both drugs aim to lower levels of a substance that forms sticky plaque build-up in the brain, which scientists suspect may be the first step in developing Alzheimer鈥檚.
Early-onset familial Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is genetically inherited. Those who have a parent with a genetic mutation have a 50 per cent chance of carrying the gene and will begin to experience symptoms of Alzheimer鈥檚 as early as in their 30s and 40s.
Although familial Alzheimer鈥檚 disease makes up less than one per cent of all cases, the predictable age of onset makes it possible to test drugs years before symptoms begin, scientists say.
鈥淲e want to stop this disease in its tracks, before symptoms begin to emerge, or when in the very early stages,鈥� Dr. Mario Masellis, neurologist and lead investigator of the trial at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, said in a news release.
鈥淭he Alzheimer鈥檚 Association feels confident that this study will help to accelerate the scientific community鈥檚 ability to determine whether an early intervention can delay or stop Alzheimer鈥檚 disease,鈥� said Maria Carrillo, chief science officer at the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association.
The DIAN-TU study is the first global clinical trial to enrol dominantly inherited Alzheimer鈥檚 patients. It鈥檚 currently operating at 24 sites in seven countries.
More information about the study is or by calling 1-844-DIAN-EXR (844-342-6397).
