What the trial was testing
The DIAN-TU enrolled 194 patients with alzheimer's disease. The study was sponsored by Washington University School of Medicine and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was mid-stage testing (phase 2/3). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Gantenerumab reduced key brain damage markers in people with inherited Alzheimer's disease.
JAMA neurology · 2024 · NCT04623242
These findings — that gantenerumab lowered neurogranin, a protein linked to brain cell damage, after 4 years — were published in the JAMA neurology and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 194 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with alzheimer's disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
This was a mid-stage study of inherited Alzheimer's disease, which is rare and different from typical Alzheimer's. Gantenerumab is not yet approved for this condition. If you have a family history of early-onset Alzheimer's caused by a genetic mutation, talk to your doctor about genetic testing and clinical trials.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open alzheimer's disease trials
Improving Memory in Alzheimer's Disease With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation
The investigators will evaluate the theory that Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment derives from the inefficient orchestration of rhythmic activity at the level of large-scale cortical networks. The results as expected to elucidate AD-related pathophysiology and set groundwork for the development of drug-free interventions for improving memory in AD and related dementias.
Advancing Alzheimer's Care: Home-based tDCS for Affective Symptoms
Participants will be asked to participate in this research study of a device that creates transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The researchers hope to learn if 30 minute sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) improve such a mood or feelings in people with Alzheimer's Disease. This study involves the use of an investigational device called a tDC stimulator. "Investigational" means that the device has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food \& Drug Administration (FDA) for treating Alzheimer's Disease. This study will help find out what effects, good and/or bad, this has. The safety of this device in humans has been tested in prior research studies; however, some side effects may not yet be known.