Victorian Alzheimer's Disease Patient First to be Treated with New Drug

By Petrina Smith
Thursday, 29 January, 2015

Caulfield Hospital in Victoria is the first hospital in the world to treat a patient with Alzheimer's disease with a breakthrough new drug.
Alfred Health, which runs Caulfield Hospital, was selected by the overseas drug company to lead the first trial on patients with the disease. The drug Anavex is designed to relieve symptoms and slow progression of the dieasese. Results will be known within a year and experts hope it will revolutionise treatment for this most common form of dementia.
Director of Aged Psychiatry at Caulfield Hospital and study lead, Associate Professor Steve Macfarlane said the global race to find better treatments for Alzheimer's disease means the phase 2 trial will be fast tracked.
“Existing drug treatments for Alzheimer's solely improve a patient’s symptoms, but don’t halt or cure the disease, which is why the most recent trials are focusing on being able to modify the disease to slow or stop its progression,” A/Prof Macfarlane said.
“This trial – Anavex 2-73 - is unique and exciting because it aims to both improve memory and slow the disease. Another feature of the Anavex trial is the absence of a placebo; all participants in the study will receive the active drug.
“Ultimately, we are hoping to find treatments that can prevent, halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s,” A/Prof Macfarlane said.
Caulfield Hospital's clinical trials team is recognised worldwide for its 30 year's experience. and is currently recruiting patients for the study. To be eligible to participate, people should have early-stage Alzheimer's Disease and be on the cognitive enhancer, Aricept. Outcomes will be measured through computerised cognitive tests and EEG.
Questions about trial participation can be directed to Michael Kornhauser, Caulfield Hospital Aged Psychiatry clinical trials coordinator, on 9076 6110 or email adclinicaltrials@cgmc.org.au.