Alzheimer's Treatment Mooted

The original research article is available online at the Journal of Neuroinflammation web site. via Slashdot

[Gene Malloy]

Does anyone know of medical practictioners using Dr. Tobinick's patented extrathecal perspinal injection technique(non-spinal)for the delivery of Enbrel in the treatment of Alzhimers.

[Anne Marble Ohio]

I read that it was a 6 month study conducted with 15 probable-Alzheimer patients..not a conclusive study. I would like toknow more

[Tuvok]

I work with Alzhimers residents almost on a dialy base's So I try and read and keep up with thing. so here are a few things that I know.

(1).The FDA is allowing humans trails with a shot that will stop Alzhimers in it tracks and will not allow any more progression as soon as this shot is given. If this shot work in the trails it will be out in five years.
(2) The same product that is being used could lead to a cure maybe in 15 years?
(3) In England I heard that a Doctor was using a arthritis medicine and injecting in the spine and was reversing Alzhimers, but these shot have to be given on a regular base's, I only heard this new's once and I do not know the name of the arthritis medicine. But anything is good.
This was last week when I heard it on the news.

[Marsha]

tuvok, if you hear more, please post it.
Thanks

[Sue Los Angeles]

There was an article in the LA Times a year or so ago reporting on Dr. Tobinik and his method of injecting Enbrel into the spinal cord near the neck to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's Disease. My husband has a form of Alzheimer's Disease. I cannot find one MD in Los Angeles (and I have asked at least 6 different neurologists among others) who have anything supportive to say about this. They are scornful and indignant that Dr. Tobinik would patent a method of using this drug to a relatively small number of patients and then publicize it as being completely effective without having conducted double-blind or other conventionally controlled methods of study.
Although he cannot patent the drug because he doesn't own it, he patented the process of where he injects it. My neurologist at UCLA said this is not only questionable legally, but scientifically is nonsense- that wherever you inject a drug into the spinal column, it will go to the brain! Dr. Tobinik offers no long term conrolled studies I can find and no tracking of adverse side effects. He charges around $25,000 or $30,000 a year for the treatments. I have not been able to find one patient who has done this for a year or more to report whether the results hold.
I am willing to try anything as I watch my brilliant, previously articulate husband rapidly deteriorate cognitively. I had one physician friend tell me-- think of it as going to Las Vegas. Gamble what you can afford, and see what happens. I can't really afford to "gamble" anything without more assurance or trust. THe shots are not only expensive, but uncomfortable and needed every week or two.
Does anyone have any specific information about patients who have tried this for a year or more?
Thanks,
Sue Los Angeles, CA

[Tuvok]

Sue Los Angeles wrote:

There was an article in the LA Times a year or so ago reporting on Dr. Tobinik and his method of injecting Enbrel into the spinal cord near the neck to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's Disease. My husband has a form of Alzheimer's Disease. I cannot find one MD in Los Angeles (and I have asked at least 6 different neurologists among others) who have anything supportive to say about this. They are scornful and indignant that Dr. Tobinik would patent a method of using this drug to a relatively small number of patients and then publicize it as being completely effective without having conducted double-blind or other conventionally controlled methods of study.
Although he cannot patent the drug because he doesn't own it, he patented the process of where he injects it. My neurologist at UCLA said this is not only questionable legally, but scientifically is nonsense- that wherever you inject a drug into the spinal column, it will go to the brain! Dr. Tobinik offers no long term conrolled studies I can find and no tracking of adverse side effects. He charges around $25,000 or $30,000 a year for the treatments. I have not been able to find one patient who has done this for a year or more to report whether the results hold.
I am willing to try anything as I watch my brilliant, previously articulate husband rapidly deteriorate cognitively. I had one physician friend tell me-- think of it as going to Las Vegas. Gamble what you can afford, and see what happens. I can't really afford to "gamble" anything without more assurance or trust. THe shots are not only expensive, but uncomfortable and needed every week or two.
Does anyone have any specific information about patients who have tried this for a year or more?
Thanks,
Sue Los Angeles, CA

Let me tell you about injecting stuff into the spine Sue..Every 4 months I have anti seizure injected into 2 places in my spinal cord. The Tip of my spinal cord so I can sit down and the second is futher up for pain in my spine, Now I do not have seizures but they have found out that using this type of medicine does more that regular steroid shots, I get these in the V.A. Hospital in Fla.They work so good that I can sit down and walk with less pain.
But in my home town no one will do this, The doctors say it does not work, They are so backwards here it is unreal, There are a few hundreds Vets that have no pain because of this procedure.
Sure anythime you get a shot in your spine it will go to your brain, that is why they watch you before you go home and then they tell you when you get home to sleep with your head up a little, If you have a problem to go to the Hospital. I have not had any problem...
Some Doctors will not try anything because of medical malpractice law suits.. They stay in the safe zone, they wait for other to clear the way first.

[Sue Los Angeles]

Thank you for your comments about your infections for seizures. I am glad it is helping you. I, however, am extremely eager to make contact with anyone who has used ENBREL for dementia or Alzheimer's Disease or knows anyone in Los Angeles who has done this with Dr. TObinik.

Thanks,
Sue Los Angeles

[Tuvok]

Sue Los Angeles wrote:

Thank you for your comments about your infections for seizures. I am glad it is helping you. I, however, am extremely eager to make contact with anyone who has used ENBREL for dementia or Alzheimer's Disease or knows anyone in Los Angeles who has done this with Dr. TObinik.
Thanks,
Sue Los Angeles

Let me clear this up I am sorry if I confused you,I do not have seizures, But they use anti seizure med. for pain at this clinic. what I am trying to say I guess is that now days they are using different medicnes for things they would never have thought of using for before and they are working, Some doctors are just to blind to try something new.

[Gene Malloy]

I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Tobinick Tuesday, January 22nd. Pertinent information obtained is as follows:
The uniqueness of the perispinal injection technique patented by him in May 2006 is that it is an extrathecal (non-spinal)approach which facilitates crossing of the blood-brain barrier.
Off-label use of Enbrel requires only agreement between doctor and patient. Dosage for Alzheimers is half that normally prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other pathologies.
- The procedure is presently only available to patients at Dr. Tobinick’s office in Los Angeles; however, he offers on-site training to interested practitioners there as well. Initial Six weeks of therapy recommended costs $3,600. Weekly injections are required thereafter -$180.
- I beelieve experience thus far relates only to early/ moderate (including the 81 year old) stages of Alzheimers. Similar results for other forms of dementia: vascular, bacterial/viral, Lewy bodies, trauma etc. has yet to be determined.
Contact info: Dr. Edward Tobinick
100 Medical Plaza Suite 20
Los Angeles, CA

[Gene Malloy]

Article in Le Magazine (Jan 2001)indicates stinging nettle (urtica dioide) ameliorates excess TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor)which is what etanercept is designed to do. Combining it with Rosemary Oil (crosses blood-brain barrier) may have some therapeutic value. Tinctures of tumeric and rhodeola rosea may also have some potential in this regard.

To sustain a reversal of symptoms, cell regeneration would seem to be required in addition to moderating TNF-alpha. The British are using a specially designed infra-red helmet targeting the soft tissue in the head for this purpose. Protocol(s)that enhance oxygenation to the brain including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ,hemoencephlography, supplements like CoQ10, acetyl-l-carnitine,gingko etc, combined with external stimuli (e.g.music, sound/light synthesis,)should contribute to the process as well.

[jo jo]

I can across an interesting take on this topic here

http://drsamonline.com/2008/02/16/recent-medi...

Dr Sam presents his thoughts on this treatment by Tobinick. Additionally, his website has a good description of exactly what etanercept is if you hit his "medication index" button at the top of the page. It's all written in fairly simple to understand language aimed at patients.

Hope this helps somewhat.

[Til zazzali]

Gene Malloy wrote:

I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Tobinick Tuesday, January 22nd. Pertinent information obtained is as follows:
The uniqueness of the perispinal injection technique patented by him in May 2006 is that it is an extrathecal (non-spinal)approach which facilitates crossing of the blood-brain barrier.
Off-label use of Enbrel requires only agreement between doctor and patient. Dosage for Alzheimers is half that normally prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and other pathologies.
- The procedure is presently only available to patients at Dr. Tobinick’s office in Los Angeles; however, he offers on-site training to interested practitioners there as well. Initial Six weeks of therapy recommended costs $3,600. Weekly injections are required thereafter -$180.
- I beelieve experience thus far relates only to early/ moderate (including the 81 year old) stages of Alzheimers. Similar results for other forms of dementia: vascular, bacterial/viral, Lewy bodies, trauma etc. has yet to be determined.
Contact info: Dr. Edward Tobinick
100 Medical Plaza Suite 20
Los Angeles, CA

I would like to thank Mr Molloy for the information he gave on Dr. Tobinick. I too have a problem understanding why there is no information on other patients that Dr. Tobinick has treated.

[Taxbyter]

As a patient of Dr. Tobinick's (2001), I wish to express my own experience. I have been pain free for 6 years from injuries affecting my lumbar spine. Prior to that I had been in severe pain for 15 years and barely able to stand or walk, and most of my limp is now gone - pinched nerves. I've referred numerous patients, including my mother, who have all had various positive results with being treated by Dr. Tobinick.

As for the Alzheimers treatment, I've personally witnessed with my own eyes, before and after effects of a woman who was treated. While in the waiting room with my mother (being treated for back pain), a woman was barely cognative. I realized she had Alzheimers. As my mother and I were leaving, the woman came out just as normal as could be, if I hadn't seen her in the waiting room when she first came in, I would have never known she had Alzheimers when she left - she was very normal. I was stunned at the afterwards.

I'm currently in school studying to become a physician's assistant. I'm compelled to enter into the field of neurology, as I hope to be able to help others who suffer the pains that I deem to have been very successful as a patient when Dr. Tobinick began his research. Sometimes one has to resort to the unconventional, perhaps called unorthodox by peers, to aid in recovery or reduced symptomology of a disease or disorder. Each has to decide for him/herself the pros and cons. And not everyone will obtain the same results. I can only state that I had exhausted all avenues of effectively reducing/eliminating pain before resorting to surgery (I've never had). I'm glad I chose to opt for Dr. Tobinick's treatment.

I. McBeth
Long Beach, CA

[Tuvok]

Taxbyter wrote:

As a patient of Dr. Tobinick's (2001), I wish to express my own experience. I have been pain free for 6 years from injuries affecting my lumbar spine. Prior to that I had been in severe pain for 15 years and barely able to stand or walk, and most of my limp is now gone - pinched nerves. I've referred numerous patients, including my mother, who have all had various positive results with being treated by Dr. Tobinick.
As for the Alzheimers treatment, I've personally witnessed with my own eyes, before and after effects of a woman who was treated. While in the waiting room with my mother (being treated for back pain), a woman was barely cognative. I realized she had Alzheimers. As my mother and I were leaving, the woman came out just as normal as could be, if I hadn't seen her in the waiting room when she first came in, I would have never known she had Alzheimers when she left - she was very normal. I was stunned at the afterwards.
I'm currently in school studying to become a physician's assistant. I'm compelled to enter into the field of neurology, as I hope to be able to help others who suffer the pains that I deem to have been very successful as a patient when Dr. Tobinick began his research. Sometimes one has to resort to the unconventional, perhaps called unorthodox by peers, to aid in recovery or reduced symptomology of a disease or disorder. Each has to decide for him/herself the pros and cons. And not everyone will obtain the same results. I can only state that I had exhausted all avenues of effectively reducing/eliminating pain before resorting to surgery (I've never had). I'm glad I chose to opt for Dr. Tobinick's treatment.
I. McBeth
Long Beach, CA

The problem with Alzheimer's is that with some people they can not know WHO? WHERE? WHEN? or any thing else on second and then a few minutes be just a normal as you and me!! I have been working with these type of people for three years and everyday I learn more and more, Each person is different and no two people are the same, You can never tell where this is going to end when it starts?

I hate to say it but Until this Doctor has a higher rate of healing people I thing his procedure is a wait and see thing!