My wife entered a care home last year and I lurk here while doing most
of my research and posting for another medical topic/support group.
But arriving here today I’ve been surprised to see there has been no
mention of what could be a remarkable new treatment for Alzheimer’s,
publicised in the UK only a few weeks ago, and which I’ve since been
chasing up here. There is some independent assessment that this may
turn out to be genuine. See below. (The ‘New Scientist’, is a much
respected UK journal.)

Here are the main references as I’ve found them:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109091102.htm
Excerpt:
The new study documents a dramatic and unprecedented therapeutic
effect in an Alzheimer’s patient: improvement within minutes following
delivery of perispinal etanercept, which is etanercept given by
injection in the spine. Etanercept (trade name Enbrel) binds and
inactivates excess TNF. Etanercept is FDA approved to treat a number
of immune-mediated disorders and is used off label in the study.

http://tiny.cc/KnV6Y   New Scientist’s views.
Excerpt:
‘So if you have read about a "miracle" new treatment for Alzheimer's
disease and greeted the story with more than just healthy scepticism,
it would be understandable…….
….‘In this case, the excitement might just be justified.’

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/568812
Excerpt:
Sue Griffin, PhD, director of research at the Donald W. Reynolds
Institute on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences,
in Little Rock, said the findings by Dr. Tobinick and colleagues are
unprecedented and warrant immediate further investigation.
Considered a pioneer in the field of neuroinflammation, Dr. Griffin
was the first to describe the link between cytokine overexpression in
the brain and AD in a landmark study published in 1989.
Dr. Griffin said she personally witnessed perispinal etanercept
therapy in several of Dr. Tobinick's patients and was "amazed."
"I must admit I was skeptical at first. So I went down to watch the
procedure and to speak with both the patients and their families
before and after treatment. It was truly one of the most remarkable
things I've ever seen," said Dr. Griffin.

http://www.tobinick.com/   Base camp

I have contacted a Professor of Neurological Science in the UK who
states that he’s been trying to get the drug for a year. If the
treatment proves to be effective as claimed I hope this will quickly
change. No medical challenge can surpass, surely, that of enabling
wonderful people to reclaim some faculties and allow them to be, and
be seen to be by loved ones, as they once were, even if it may be only
a partial restoration.

Kind regards to all
MikeHi