Week of December 21 - December 27, 2008
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ABC TV Channel 13 WHAM
More than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease, but so far there is no way to cure it. Right now, doctors and researchers are testing new drugs to help improve memory. One such study is taking place right here in Rochester. And as Elizabeth Schubert found out, one drug is getting national attention from the TV series Boston Legal which you may have just seen.
Elizabeth Schubert:
"Dr. Anton Porsteinsson is the Director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at the University of Rochester. He's currently heading up a study for a new Alzheimer's drug called Dimebon."
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| William Shattner's character on Boston Legal was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. |
Clip from the Boston Legal series:
William Shattner: "All of a sudden, the police were there..."
Elizabeth Schubert:
"So when a friend told him William Shattner's character on Boston Legal had just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Porsteinssonn decided to watch."
Dr. Porsteinsson:
"It was interesting. You assume that they don't use real-life situations in shows like that."
Elizabeth:
"On Monday night's series finale, lawyer Denny Crane tried to persuade the Supreme Court to let him have access to Dimebon which could help slow his memory loss."
Clip from Boston Legal:
William Shattner: "Who knows how long I have left?"
Attorney Denny Crane: "You have a long time left. We are going to the Supreme Court and we're getting you that drug."
Elizabeth:
"On the show, the trial was closed. Dr. Porsteinssonn's trial for the U of R is very much open."
Dr. Porsteinsson:
"In real life, we are in the middle of it. So art imitates life, but they've just moved a few months upstream."
Elizabeth:
"So far 10 people are taking part in the study but there is room for 5 to 10 more. Top candidates will have mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's and won't be on any medication for it. They will take 3 pills a day for six months."
Dr. Porsteinsson:
"I think it is an intriguing opportunity for people that have not benefited from currently available treatments."
Elizabeth:
"Dimebon was first used in Russia as an allergy drug. Researchers there later noticed it improved some memory, and they conducted some studies there as well. Now the study is in its third and final stage. If you would like to participate, this is an international study. Just call (Rochester, NY) 760-6550 or log onto 13wham.com and click on the green find-it button. (Editor's note: Detailed information can be found in the related articles on this site. Just go to the end of this article where it says "RELATED ARTICLES ON THIS SITE" and click on the Dimebon article.)
Anchorman:
"You say it is in the final stage. Can you translate that into weeks, months, years in terms of when it might be available if it works?"
Elizabeth:
"It all depends on the actual outcome of this study. Researchers are hoping within the next one or two years, but again, if it doesn't pass, it stops right there, so it just kind of depends."
Anchorman:
"OK, thank you Elizabeth."
RELATED ARTICLES AT ALZHEIMER'S WEEKLY:
Dimebon Gets Pfizer's Backing ( See under News -> Research )
One Step Back, Another Step Forward ( See under News -> Research )
SOURCES:
Reviewed for medical accuracy by
Dr. Boaz Ancselovic, MD, Geriatrician, Alzheimer's Weekly
ABC TV - WHAM Rochester, NY
Transcript by Alzheimer's Weekly LLC
COPYRIGHT:
© 2008 ABC TV - WHAM Rochester, NY. All Rights Reserved.
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