GLYCOSAMINOGLYCAN POLYSULFATE IN PRIMARY DEGENERATIVE DEMENTIA - PILOT-STUDY OF BIOLOGIC AND CLINICAL EFFECTS

To test the hypothesis that the therapeutic effects of glycosaminoglyc an polysulfate (GAP) in primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type (PDD) is associated with a reversal of biochemical changes seen in PDD, a two-phase, clinical-biochemical study was conducted. In the first phase of this study a number of biochemical parameters were comp ared in 12 patients with PDD and their sex- and age-matched controls, and it was found that platelet monoamine oxidase B activity was signif icantly higher and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homovanillic acid levels significantly lower in the PDD than in the normal control group. In th e second phase of this study the same 12 PDD patients were treated wit h GAP at a daily dosage of 250 lipasemic-releasing units for a period of 1 month and it was found that all four biochemical parameters shift ed towards normal values during therapy with the changes in CSF 5-hydr oxy-indole acetic acid levels attaining statistical significance. Alth ough clinical changes were minimal, in light of prior clinical finding s in studies conducted with GAP in similar populations, the possibilit y was entertained that clinical improvement with GAP in PDD patients i s preceded by biochemical changes.