Axonyx Reports Data on Stabilized Brain Volumes in Alzheimer's
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Axonyx Inc. (NASDAQ: AXYX) today reported an analysis of results suggesting stabilization of total brain volume and brain parenchymal fraction of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients treated with Phenserine 10mg or 15mg twice daily (BID) for 26-weeks.

Following Phenserine treatment, patients' mean total brain volume and parenchymal fraction remained stable from baseline but decreased in the one placebo patient. Mean changes in brain volume were +0.99% (Phenserine 15mg BID), +2.68% (Phenserine 10mg BID) and -5.15% (placebo) and mean parenchymal fraction changed from baseline by +0.21%, +0.46% and -2.97% respectively. Although not statistically significant, the mean percentage changes of brain volumes seen in the treated groups suggests a preservation of volume compared with the brain atrophy (loss of brain volume) seen in the placebo patient. There was no notable effect in the hippocampal area of the brain; however this may have been due to the difficulty associated with measurements of this small brain structure.
It is well known that Alzheimer's disease is associated with an acceleration of brain atrophy that is generally greater than expected for non-demented persons of similar age. Brain atrophy as measured by MRI has emerged as a potential outcome measure of AD treatments and marker of disease severity and progression. The possible neuro-protection seen in this sub-study may potentially reflect the effects of Phenserine on amyloid beta (A beta) - a protein thought to be a potential cause of Alzheimer's disease and its progression. Phenserine's effects are associated with reductions of A beta levels in pre-clinical studies, as well as a correlation seen between Phenserine levels and a reduction of plasma A beta in Phenserine-treated human volunteers. While the signal from this sub-study of a potential effect of Phenserine on the brains of AD patients is encouraging, the Company notes that MRI brain studies are generally of longer duration and include more patients, particularly in the placebo group. Nevertheless, the absence of brain atrophy in Phenserine treated AD patients in this sub-study is contrary to what would be expected to occur and may justify a definitive MRI evaluation of the effects of Phenserine on brain atrophy in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) connected to the University of Antwerp are the first to show that the quantity of amyloid protein in brain cells is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=41922