TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-BRAIN FUNCTION, TNF-ALTZHEIMER'S

TNF is a critical component of the brain's immune system which finely regulates the transmission of neural impulses between brain cells. The lead author of this study, Edward Tobinick MD(6), hypothesized that in Alzheimer's and related forms of dementia, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA), elevated levels of TNF interfere with brain function, and could respond to treatment with perispinal etanercept. Rapid improvement in impaired speech, beginning within minutes, seems to be a unique effect of perispinal etanercept, and illustrates the existence of rapidly reversible TNF-dependent brain mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease and primary progressive aphasia. Rapid improvement in cognition in patients with Alzheimer's following perispinal etanercept has also been recently reported (3,4,5). These rapid effects are thought to be due to TNF's novel role as a gliotransmitter regulating synaptic transmission (communication between brain cells), a physiologic function of TNF only recently recognized.

Numbers refer to original article's references

1. Perispinal etanercept produces rapid improvement in primary progressive aphasia: Identification of a novel, rapidly reversible TNF-mediated pathophysiologic mechanism. Abstract 421, presented July 30, 2008 at ICAD 2008, Chicago, Illinois

2. Perispinal etanercept produces rapid improvement in primary progressive aphasia: Identification of a novel, rapidly reversible TNF-mediated pathophysiologic mechanism, Neurology and Neurosurgery Clinical Cases, Medscape J Med. 2008; 10(6): 135.

3. Tobinick, E.L. and H. Gross, Rapid improvement in verbal fluency and aphasia following perispinal etanercept in Alzheimer's disease. BMC Neurol, 2008. 8(1): p. 27.

4. Tobinick, E.L. and H. Gross, Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease following perispinal etanercept administration. J Neuroinflammation, 2008.

5: p. 2.5. Tobinick, E., Perispinal etanercept for treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res, 2007. 4(5): p. 550-2.

6. Edward Tobinick MD is medical director of the Institute for Neurological Research(INR®), a private medical group, inc., in Los Angeles, California.

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