NT-3 review

[Guest guest]

(Betty, I'm not , but here's a review of NT-3. We are still waiting

for the final results).~ G

NT-3

The first human trials for CMT Nerve Regeneration by using injections of

NT-3, are almost complete. NT-3 stands Neurotrophin - 3, a

bioengineered chemical. This original research grant was sponsored by

The Neuropathy Association and Regeneron Biotechnology in the United

States. Dr. Sahenk at Ohio State University has been the leading

researcher on this project . The first human trials will stand against a

53% background rate of success for NT-3 Nerve Regeneration in mouse

models.

There have been eight people in the study. All eight tested DNA positive

for CMT 1A. Each patient needed to have a nerve biopsy before and after

taking NT-3. The men had to have a prostate exam while the women were

required to have a Pap smear. Anyone with a history of cancer was

disqualified from the program. The cost of NT-3 was free to the clinic

but the clinic had to pay for the expensive packaging.

The eight research subjects gave themselves three injections of NT-3

each week over a period of 6 months. The study was a double-blind

study, meaning even the doctors, nurses or the eight participants do

not know who was given NT-3 or a placebo. The last patient is still

being studied. Dr. Sahenk is counting and measuring each nerve fiber

herself, a slow, yet extremely accurate process. Results will be

announced late spring 2003. If a high percentage of nerve regeneration

is indicated, Ohio State will ask for more grants and expand the

research to other clinics.