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New drug trials for potential Alzheimer's vaccine

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    Dr. Manny Alvarez weighs in

  • Duration 3:39
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A potential breakthrough to tell you about an alzheimer's disease a brand new drug will soon be tested in clinical trials it's actually a vaccine.

That could help prevent the disease in people who are most at risk.

Let's talk about it would Dr.

Manny Alvarez he is senior managing editor for Fox News health dot com and a member.

Of the fox medical eighteen so just in the same way that you get a flu shot every year -- most people should.

They might be able to give you something that would prevent alzheimer's.

Well you know this is the theory behind the study and this is a landmark change in the way.

We're looking at alzheimer's you know in the past have been several trials -- medications already with people with alzheimer's -- -- the -- arrest the progression of the disease.

This week the Obama administration really has taking a very positive initiative and putting a lot of dollars.

In two carving out the research and -- one of the things -- -- gonna look at.

Is folks that they know are at risk for alzheimer's and and there's a specific genetic family.

Of patients that are at risk and and they know that if they target this group they gonna get really in -- valuation so they're looking at the vaccine the vaccine is gonna be given.

Prophylactically.

In other words before you have signs and symptoms of alzheimer's.

And they gonna see that works -- not in the way that the vaccine works as it blocks.

The formation of the protein which is really the whole mark and I think everybody has decided that is this build up this protein.

I'm always in the brain that's really destroying the brain cells so prevention which is -- new face of this trial is kind of unique.

The second thing of course they got to look at it and look at associations with diabetes which is another thing that.

In the in the literature has been shown that people -- diabetes may be at risk for alzheimer's so they're looking also at the top of insulin administration through the nose.

One of the problems though obviously is that is that alzheimer's effectively I mean it does it starts to affect your brain maybe ten years before the symptoms appear that is over by the time you know the right.

Your grandfather or something has alzheimer's as it happened in my house.

You.

It's too late to only about and that's why this trial is very exciting now this trial is gonna going to be done not only here in the US.

That is also going to be done in Columbia south American Medellin there's a family of about 300 people that have a very specific gene mutations -- they.

Aren't using that family as has this subjects -- steady.

However also we have to realize that we still don't know what triggers those amyloid -- -- from forming.

So basic science research for instance here in New York City -- to -- green garb -- -- the Rockefeller university's one of the leading you'll biologists.

Hot and he's also that really understanding the mechanics behind the sell as to why it creates -- broken.

But for the first time this is going to be the first -- fact Oriole.

Nationals -- studies.

Which may yield very positive answers for patients the alzheimer's problem is getting worse in this country why is that.

Well look at over five million Americans are afflicted with alzheimer's here in the US.

One would argue that it's getting worse because people are a living longer.

That one thing you know he would argue also that those so there's more time in your life -- -- -- -- right you know right so you live into your eighties the likelihood of developing alzheimer's is greater.

And you know we still don't know you know are there and by -- mental factors affecting the American population also shall always think things need to be looked at but.

We have an epidemic get our hands and this multi facto -- real trial I think it's going to be very positive for.

Patients and families look for more information on Fox News health dot com log on we have the whole story there about his health aka doctor Manning thank you --

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