Alzheimers Disease: Review of Emerging Treatment Role for Intravenous Immunoglobulins

Journal of Central Nervous System Disease

Review

George R. Jackson¹  Rakez Kayed¹  D. Mark Estes²  Alan D.T. Barrett² 

[1] Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.; Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.;Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.; Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.;

关键词: Alzheimer's;    immunotherapy;    conformation antibodies;    tau oligomers;    amyloid oligomers;   

DOI  :  10.4137/JCNSD.S5018

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Currently available therapies are symptomatic but do not alter underlying disease progression. Immunotherapeutic approaches such as anti Aβ peptide active vaccination trials have had limited success to date. Intravenous immunoblobulin (IVIg) is widely used in immune-mediated neurological disorders such myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barre syndrome. These preparations have been obtained from the pooled plasma of healthy human donors and contain natural anti-amyloid antibodies and are well tolerated. A small pilot study of passive immunotherapy using IVIg has suggested cognitive improvement. A multicenter phase III trial is ongoing and will determine whether or not this treatment can ameliorate cognitive deficits in mild-to-moderate AD. Here, we briefly review the pathogenic role of amyloid and tau in AD, as well as immunotherapeutic efforts to date. We also summarize what is known about naturally occurring anti-Aβ and tau antibodies in IVIg with a view toward explaining potential mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© 2011 SAGE Publications.