Is Etanercept Safe and Well Tolerated in Alzheimer Disease?

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is an immune-signaling molecule produced by glia and neurons and by macrophages and other immune cells. In the brain, it regulates synaptic communication, and its effect in the hippocampus is important. Excess TNF is present in the CSF of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and has been implicated as a mediator of synaptic dysfunction, thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disorder. Etanercept, a TNF–alpha inhibitor that is FDA-approved for uses other than AD, acts by blocking this cytokine from its receptor. Case studies have shown clinical improvement after the use of perispinal etanercept in both Alzheimer disease and primary progressive aphasia.

This study examined the tolerability and …