KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasChinese Herb Shows Promise For Alzheimer's Patients

Chinese Herb Shows Promise For Alzheimer's Patients

The scientific community is often skeptical about so-called "natural" remedies, but a Chinese herb is showing promise for Alzheimer's patients. 

A local clinical trial is taking the idea very seriously. 

Las Vegas resident Evangeline Gross is a loving caregiver for her father George, but she misses the way he used to be before his life was altered by Alzheimer's.

Evangeline said, "Because my Dad went from being a totally independent man, driving himself, taking care of himself, cooking and taking care of his own finances to not being able to do any of those things."

George Trujillo, an Alzheimer's patient, said, "I used to have a real sharp memory way back. But now, I forget from one day to the next."

George is enrolled in a clinical trial testing an herb called Huperzine. The national trial is directed locally by Dr. Charles Bernick, with the University of Nevada School of Medicine. 

Huperzine might work on the same basis as some prescription drugs.

Dr. Charles Bernick said, "And what these drugs all do, and Huperzine seems to do, is increase levels of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine, which is important for normal memory function. And particularly important in Alzheimer's disease. 

Dr. Bernick says Huperzine has been used in China for centuries as a way to boost brain power. 

If studies can prove that it slows the progression of Alzheimer's, without some of the gastro- intestinal side effects of current drugs, millions of Alzheimer's patients could benefit.

Dr. Bernick said, "The chemical properties of it are very similar to drugs we know work as well. So the thought is, there definitely has a theoretical benefit for it."

The clinical trial is still open. Researchers are looking for participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Evangeline hopes the herb helps her dad, but she'll also be glad to see results pay off for future generations.

"Maybe my children won't have to be my care giver. Maybe things will be better by then," said Evangeline. 

Huperzine is available in stores, but patients who are taking an FDA-approved inhibitor for Alzheimer's are strongly discouraged from mixing the two.