home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK00768}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Is "NGF" a Hope for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy?}
- $Subject{medication medications Alzheimer's treatment treatments nerve growth
- factor NGF nerves}
- $Volume{R-1}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Is "NGF" a Hope for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy?
-
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- QUESTION: My mother has Alzheimer's Disease and we try to keep up with all
- the latest developments in therapy for her. We have heard that there is a new
- drug called "NGF" that offers new hope, and we wonder if you know where it is
- available. We are willing to go anywhere.
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: I am sorry to dash your hopes, but NGF (which stands for Nerve Growth
- Factor) is not available anywhere as a medication for Alzheimer's Disease.
- Not yet, anyway. It is still in the process of animal investigation, although
- scientists are working on producing a chemical suitable for investigational
- use in humans. NGF may be able to stimulate certain brain nerve cells to
- regenerate, or at least keep them from dying, and thus stop the degenerative
- process of Alzheimer's Disease. However, for all of the hopeful expectation,
- there are other scientists who advise a more measured, slower approach to
- research to consider safety and efficacy factors most carefully. While I
- sympathize with you and the families of other Alzheimer sufferers, I must
- advise caution. Do not embark on a fruitless search for cures that do not yet
- exist.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-