Alzheimer’s Disease patients in Australia have been given a remarkable drug in a world first trial at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

The trial of drug Anavex 2-73 has already had some success with patients’ personalities restored, skills they had not been able to use for years returned and many of the memories that had been locked away, now remembered.

On average the group remained stable and did not decline, which was expected with a group of 32 Alzheimer’s patients.

Anavex 2-73 is a drug designed to not only relieve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, but also slow the progression. It works by blocking proteins in the brain, which prevents the oxidative stress and cell death seen in the brains of people Alzheimer’s Disease.

The Phase 2 trial has assessed 32 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, with some very positive results. One of the test participants can now play piano again, while another – award-winning artist Valerie Lynch, says the drug has allowed her to be able to paint again. Others experienced an improvement in memory, mood and humour.

The goal of this particular trial was to determine the maximum tolerated dose of the drug, while also assessing participant’s resulting cognitive skill, blood results, and brain scans.

Stephen Macfarlane, Associate Professor and Director of Aged Psychiatry at The Alfred Hospital, who is leading the Australian trial, said Anavex 2-73 aims to protect the brain, helping nerve cells live longer and assist with the removal of amyloid plaque, which builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s Disease.

“It’s really important to have a drug that can both relieve symptoms and slow the disease progression, because if you just slow down what would otherwise be a decline over 7- 10 years, people might survive for longer, but their quality of life won’t be improved,” he says.

“If it does as well in phase 2-3 as it has done in the current study, then it has the potential to be a game-changer.”

A larger Phase 3 trial will begin with more than 300 people next year.

Those caring for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease alongside their loved ones are likely to watch the results with keen interest.

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About Oxley Home Care

Oxley Home Care, established in 2006, is a family-owned Sydney company and is an Approved Government Provider for aged care services, specialising in Dementia Care.

Oxley Home Care provides Dementia Care, Private Care, Home Care, Veterans Home Care, Nursing and Allied Health to enable people to live a quality life independently in their own home and stay connected to their local community.

Oxley Home Care is an Approved Provider of Home Care Packages funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing and holds an allocation of Home Care Packages. These packages are designed to provide assistance to the elderly, to remain living independently at home.

To gain access to a Home Care Package, the government requires that you undergo a comprehensive assessment by your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT). To arrange the assessment, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care web site.

For more information, please feel free to call Oxley Home Care on 1300 993 591.