‘Vampire therapy’ could help those with dementia

It might seem the stuff of fairy tales, but a new trial has found pumping the blood of young people into the elderly may help ward off the symptoms of dementia.

Scientists tried out the “vampire therapy” after astonishing results three years ago showed infusions of young blood into older mice formed new blood vessels and improved memory and learning.

For the new trial, 18 people over 65 with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s were given either four weekly infusions of plasma from people aged 18 and 30, or a placebo. Although the Phase 1 tests were only designed to prove the procedure was safe, participants reported a marked improvement in Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Patients found it easier to carry out daily tasks such as remembering to take medicine, paying bills or preparing meals. Dr. Sharon Sha, associate professor of neurology at Stanford University, who was the trial’s clinical lead, said she was not expecting such early positive results. “Our enthusiasm concerning these findings needs to be tempered by the fact that this was a small trial. But these results warrant further study,” she said.

Many cultures have extolled the properties of youthful blood, with the blood of young warriors drunk by the victors. Scientists believe young blood is so potent because it carries large quantities of a protein known as GDF111, which diminishes as we age.

Dr. Carol Routledge, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research U.K. said: “We need to see much larger studies before we can tell if this approach could help improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s disease.”

The research was presented at the 10th annual Clinical Trial on Alzheimer’s Disease conference in Boston.