A Russian Antihistamine for Alzheimer’s?

The financial news websites and some main TV channels have been full of the results of a so-called “pivotal study” from Russia. The antihistamine Dimebon, long available in that country, was studied for possible benefits in 183 Alzheimer’s patients. The results were reported at the American Academy of Neurology 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting, in April, and are now reported in The Lancet.

The patients, who had mild to moderate disease, were allocated to take 20 mg three times a day of dimebon, or a matching placebo. Assessments were made after 3 and 6 months.

Those taking dimebon showed improvements in their memory, thinking, and daily and overall functioning after 3 - 6 months of treatment, compared to placebo; some patients showed improvements when treated for up to a year. The Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale: Cognitive was used to measure the improvements, which were statistically significant. Dry mouth and depressed mood were the only dimebon-associated side-effects reported (12 patients (14%) for each symptom).

What’s so exciting about this study? If the results can be duplicated in a second study – one is scheduled to start soon in the US , Europe , and South America - Dimebon will be an example of a drug that not just slows the advance of Alzheimer’s, but one which actually improves the symptoms. Whether Dimebon is a prototype that can be quickly improved on, or whether it will be the long-awaited treatment for dementia we shall find out in a couple of years. Hope at last – but we’ve been disappointed before!

Update on Sat, March 6, 2010 at 08:18AM by Robert Griffith

It looks as if Dimebon isn't going to be the great Alzheimer drug we hoped; see: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181285.php

Bob Griffith