The July 19 issue of The Lancet presents the findings of two Alzheimer related studies; while one of them shows the very good results a drug called dimebon has recorded (it has managed to substantially improve some of the condition’s symptoms), the other turned out to be rather disappointing, as the vaccine failed to stop the development of Alzheimer. This second study did however bring some good news: the vaccine proved efficient in removing brain dementia-linked amyloid plaques.

According to the estimations of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, there are currently about 4.5 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. One in 20 people with ages ranging from 65 to 74 and almost half of those with ages over 85 are affected by the terrible condition.

The second study was carried out by British researchers; the team’s leader was Dr. Clive Holmes, of the Memory Assessment and Research Centre at Moorgreen Hospital in Southampton. The scientists compiled data from 80 Alzheimer patients who were given an experimental vaccine (AN1792).

Although the vaccine has lead to the "reduction in the number of plaques in the brains of patients" and in certain cases, to their complete removal, there was no proof that any of the patients actually benefited from these effects. Dr. Clive Holmes said that even the subjects with "virtually complete removal" went on deteriorating and "had severe end-stage dementia prior to their death."

Folowing the newly obtained information, the doctor reached the conclusion that plaque removal, at least by using this procedure, will not bring a significant improvement for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Sam Gandy, chairman of the Alzheimer's Association's National Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, also said this study indicates that some other forces, apart from plaque build-up, are making the disease advance.