rosiglitazone Improves Memory, Study Suggests

[Cowboyjim]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121120194934.htm
Working with genetically engineered mice designed to serve as models for Alzheimer's, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers found that treatment with the anti-insulin-resistance drug rosiglitazone enhanced learning and memory as well as normalized insulin resistance. The scientists believe that the drug produced the response by reducing the negative influence of Alzheimer's on the behavior of a key brain-signaling molecule.

Hmm... is something going on here like with statins where the pharms are trying everything to broaden the usage to eke more revenue from their back catalogs? Met helps cancer and now this... all good stuff but in my suspicious mind the niggling will not disappear... 8)
I mean, what made them think that this study was a good idea... surely they can't be trying everything every which way in the hope it might work. But given the huge costs of drug dev then I do not blame them. Or maybe it was cross correlation of findings in diabetic Alzheimer patients... interesting stuff... 8)

 

[Hobs]

Hang on ... it is no longer issued in the UK. Below is an extract from the latest BNF:-

"The marketing authorisation for rosiglitazone (Avandia®, Avandamet®) has been suspended (September 2010) following a review by the European Medicines Agency. The European Medicines Agency concluded that the benefits of rosiglitazone treatment do not outweigh the cardiovascular risks. Prescribers should not issue new or repeat prescriptions for rosiglitazone. Treatment of patients who are taking rosiglitazone should be reviewed"

 

[Hobs]

Sheesh, there is more :shock:

MHRA/CHM advice

"Pioglitazone cardiovascular safety (December 2007 and January 2011)
Incidence of heart failure is increased when pioglitazone is combined with insulin especially in patients with predisposing factors e.g. previous myocardial infarction. Patients who take pioglitazone should be closely monitored for signs of heart failure; treatment should be discontinued if any deterioration in cardiac status occurs.

Pioglitazone should not be used in patients with heart failure or a history of heart failure.
Pioglitazone: risk of bladder cancer (July 2011)
The European Medicines Agency has advised that there is a small increased risk of bladder cancer associated with pioglitazone use. However, in patients who respond adequately to treatment, the benefits of pioglitazone continue to outweigh the risks.

Pioglitazone should not be used in patients with active bladder cancer or a past history of bladder cancer, or in those who have uninvestigated macroscopic haematuria. Pioglitazone should be used with caution in elderly patients as the risk of bladder cancer increases with age.

Before initiating treatment with pioglitazone, patients should be assessed for risk factors of bladder cancer (including age, smoking status, exposure to certain occupational or chemotherapy agents, or previous radiation therapy to the pelvic region) and any macroscopic haematuria should be investigated. The safety and efficacy of pioglitazone should be reviewed after 3–6 months and pioglitazone should be stopped in patients who do not respond adequately to treatment.

Patients already receiving treatment with pioglitazone should be assessed for risk factors of bladder cancer and treatment should be reviewed after 3–6 months, as above.

Patients should be advised to report promptly any haematuria, dysuria, or urinary urgency during treatment."

It looks as thopugh ALL glitazones are in the norty corner :evil:

 

[Cowboyjim]

Ooh err... and argh!
There's another big bundle of cash wasted then.. or maybe it is just to "shed light" on mechanisms to develop better pills... let us hope some good comes from it... all sorts of mental cartoons spring to mind after reading what you have added Hobs.... my mind never ceases to boggle about this industry... thanks for that! 8)