1 month ago
BCG Vaccine Shows Promise in Preventing Alzheimer's Disease
Scientists gave a vaccine that normally protects against tuberculosis to 23 older adults to see if it could help stop Alzheimer’s.
The vaccine changed the brain’s immune cells in a good way and lowered some harmful proteins.
It was safe and didn’t cause problems.
The researchers want bigger studies, especially in India, to confirm the results.
One-year open-label trial of BCG vaccine in 23 adults aged 55+ in the U.S.
Vaccine reprogrammed brain immune cells, showing trained immunity in CSF.
Participants without Alzheimer’s pathology had favorable changes in amyloid‑beta biomarkers.
No unexpected safety concerns; vaccine well tolerated.
Researchers call for larger randomized controlled trials, especially in India.
- Who
- Dr Mahesh Chandra Kodali and 23 adults aged 55+
- What
- BCG vaccine trial to assess prevention of Alzheimer’s disease
- Where
- United States, single center
- When
- One-year study period
- Why
- To explore a low-cost, widely available preventive strategy for Alzheimer’s
Key facts
- Vaccine
- Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
- Study type
- One-year open-label clinical trial
- Participants
- 23 adults aged 55+
- Outcome
- Trained immunity in CSF and favorable amyloid‑beta changes
- Safety
- Well tolerated, no unexpected concerns
Quotes
Dr. Mahesh Chandra Kodali
Senior research fellow, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital
“"India has a unique opportunity because BCG is deeply integrated into the country's healthcare system. It is a low-cost vaccine with an excellent safety record and has been used in millions of Indians for decades. If confirmed in larger clinical trials, this could provide a far more accessible and affordable strategy than many of the current Alzheimer's treatments."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"Until now, there was no way to assess how these immune cells actually function in living patients. This approach creates opportunities to detect immune dysfunction earlier, monitor disease progression and determine whether treatments are truly modifying immune function in the brain."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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