NEW YORK (May 5, 2016) – Human Microbiology Institute is delighted to announce that its scientific core played a primary role in the groundbreaking study for the treatment of dementia in end-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

The article just published in Journal of Medical Case Reports, we report the case of a 77-year-old Caucasian male with severe dementia and behavioral disturbance secondary to Alzheimer’s disease treated with memantine who began adjunct treatment with novel experimental drug candidate. Prior to initiation of deoxyribonuclease I treatment, the patient appeared to be in a stuporous state, with extremely low levels of clinical and research settings measuring cognitive impairment in end-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment with DNase I allowed the patient to withdraw form a terminal state and resulted in significant improvements in cognitive and behavioral function, including the ability to walk and perform everyday tasks with near independence.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive loss of brain tissue leading to amyloid-b accumulation and severe decline in cognitive function. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is poorly understood, and available treatments are limited in their efficacy, particularly for patients with more severe symptoms.

The patient demonstrated considerable cognitive improvement beginning on the second day of DNase I treatment, becoming partially oriented to time and place, and once again recognizing and remember the names of family members. He further became able to dress himself, including tying shoelaces and buttons, as well as walk independently, feed himself, and use an exercise bike. Neurologic abnormalities affecting gait were significantly reduced. His MMSE score increased dramatically from 3 to 16, and his FAST score was reduced from 7 to 5.